A  VOLUME 


7-  CS 


RECORDS 


I 


IV 


I 


RELATING    TO  THE 


Eaely  History  of  Boston 


CONTAINING 


BOSTON  TOWN  EECORDS,  1784  TO  1796 


BOSTON 

MUNICIPAL   PRINTING   OFFICE 

1903 


- 


1  7  R 1 


[Document   101  —  1903.] 


REGISTRY  DEPARTMENT 

OF  THE 

CITY    OF    BOSTON 

EECOEDS  BELATING  TO  THE  EAELT  HISTOKY 
OE  BOSTON 

{Formerly  called  Record  Commissioners''  Reports) 


This  volume,  which  is  the  thirty-first  in  the  series  formerly 
issued  under  the  direction  of  the  Record  Commissioners,  contains 
the  proceedings  of  the  town  from  1784  to  1796,  completing  the 
eighth  book  of  the  original  records  of  the  town  of  Boston. 


EDWARD  W.  McGLENEN, 

City  Registrar. 


Old  Couet  House,  Boston. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2010  with  funding  from 

Boston  Library  Consortium  Member  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/volumeofrecords31bost 


BOSTON    TOWN    RECORDS. 


[SEVENTH   BOOK,    CONTINUED.] 


[295.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legaly  warned  in 
publick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanieul  Hall  the  23  Feb- 
ruary Anno  Domini  1784.  10.  OClock  Forenoon  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read 

It  was  moved  and  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  for  the  Meeting  be 
chosen  by  a  Hand  Vote. 

Stephen  Higginson  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  and  took  his  Seat  accord- 
ingly — 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  to  the  Gentelmen 
the  Selectmen  Sitting  forth — "That  whereas  it  is  expected  by 
some  People  that  the  Town  of  Boston  be  Illuminated  on  the 
occasion  of  the  Ratification  of  the  [296]  Definitive  treaty  of 
Peace  ;  and  as  in  their  Opinion  such  a  Measure  was  not  only 
Expensive,  but  would  be  dangerous  to  the  Town  at  this  Season 
of  the  year  —  they  therefore  requested  that  a  Meeting  of  the 
Inhabitants  might  be  called  in  order  that  the  Minds  of  the  Town 
may  be  taken  on  the  Subject" — was  read  —  whereupon  it  was 
moved  — 

That  the  Question  be  put  whether  it  be  the  sense  of  the  In- 
habitants that  there  should  be  a  general  Illumination  of  the 
Town  on  occasion  of  the  Definitive  Treaty  of  Peace,  and  the  Ques- 
tion being  accordingly  put  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  by  a  very 
great  majority  of  the  Inhabitants 

But  it  being  the  sense  of  the  Town  that  it  was  proper  that  the 
publick  Buildings  should  be  Illuminated,  it  was  moved  and 

Voted,  that  the  Gentelmen  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are 
Authorished  &  requested  to  take  order  of  the  Illumination  of 
Fanuiel  Hall  on  the  Occasion 


2  City  Document. 

It  was  then  Moved  and  Voted  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town 
be  given  to  [297]  Stephen  Higginson  Esq1',  for  his  Services  as 
Moderator  of  the  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,    duly  qualified   and  legally  warned  in  publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneiul  Hall  on  Monday  the  8th 
Day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1784 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Wight 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting read 

Sundry  Laws  enjoined  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  accord- 
ingly   read 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes,  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  and  sorted  it  appeared  that 

John  Brown  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Moderator  — 

William  Cooper  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
of  Office  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  duty,  which  Oath  was 
Administred  to  him  by 

[298.]  The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Voted  to  choose 
Seven  Selectmen,  the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  with- 
draw and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  that  number,  and  the  same 
being  brought  in  and  sorted  it  appeared  that  the  following  Gen- 
telmen  -  -  Viz* :  — 

John  Scollay  Esqr.  --------  248 

Thomas  G-reenought      -- 184 

Nathan  Frazier  Esq1.     -     -     -     -     -     -     -  166 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  --------  280 

Cap*.  William  Mackay 250 

Samuel  Austin  Esqr :  excus 'd       -     -     -     -  164 

John  Lucas  Esqr. -162 

were  chosen  Selectmen  for  the  ensuing  Year 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  — 

3.  O'Clock,  afternoon  met  according  to  adjournment 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  having 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  3 

been  brought  in  and  sorted  it  Appeared  that  only  ten  were  chosen- 
Viz*: 

The  Honble :  William  Phillips  Esqr. 

Isaac  Smith  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Mason 

Cap' :  Samuel  Partridge 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

John  White  Esqr. 

Edward  Procter 
[299.]  William  PoweU  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr.    . 

Joseph  Webb  Esqr. 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  two  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  and  sorted,  it  appeared  that 

Timothy  Newell  Esqr.  —  (excused) 
Edward  Payne  Esqr.  —  (excused) 

Edward  Payne  Esqr.  chosen  an  Overser  having  desired  to  be 
excused  by  the  Town  from  serving  in  that  Office  he  was  accord- 
ingly excused  — 

This  being  the  time  for  the  consideration  of  the  choice  of 
Wardens  —  It  was  moved  that  the  choice  of  Wardens  be  referred 
to  the  General  Town  Meeting  in  March  next  —  And  the  Ques- 
tion being  accordingly  put  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant.  Viz* : 

To  consider  and  determin  with  respect  to  a  Letter  from  the 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Wrentham  and  Med- 
way  relative  to  a  County  Meeting  at  Dedham  the  third  Wednes- 
day in  March  Inst  —  was  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  draught  a  Letter  to 
said  Committee,  and  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

[300.]     Voted,  that  Joseph  Barrel  Esqr. 
William  Tuder  Esqr. 
Cap*.  S arson  Belcher 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

The  Town  brought  in  their  Votes  for  Sixteen  Fire  Wards,  and 
the  same  having  been  sorted  it  Appeared,  that 

John  Scollay  Esqr.  —  excused 

William  Cooper  Esqr. 

Francis  Shaw  Esqr.  —  excused 

Edward  Procter  Esqr. 

Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 


4  City  Document. 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 
Cap*.  Gustavus  Fellows 
Joseph  Webb  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Lowell —  excused 

Thomas  Melville  Esqr.      excused 
Jabez  Hatch  Esq1. 
Cap'.  Isaac  Phillips 
Josiah  Waters  jur.  Esqr. 
Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 
Cap*.  Ebenezer  Parsons 
John  Coftin  Jones  Esqr.    excused 
were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  ensuing  Year 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes,  for  a  Clerk  of  Faneuiel  Hall  Market,  and  upon  sorting 
them  it  appeared,  that 

Cap* :  John  BaUard 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  Faneuiel  Hall  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

[301.]  This  being  the  time  that  the  consideration  of  the 
choice  of  a  Committee  of  Correspondence  should  come  on  —  It 
was  moved  that  the  Question  be  put  —  Whether  it  be  the  sense 
of  the  Town  to  choose  a  Committee  of  Correspondence  Inspec- 
tion and  Safety  the  present  Year  —  and  the  Question  being 
accordingly  put  —     Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  11.  O'Clock  tomorrow  be  the  time 
Assigned  for  the  choice  of  a  County  Treasurer 

Voted,  that  all  matters  relative  to  Grant  of  Money  &c  come  on 
immediately  after  the  choice  of  a  County  Treasurer 

Voted,  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  Tuesday  Next.  10.. 
OClock  Before  Noon  — 

Tuesday  March  9th.  10.  OClock  Forenoon,  met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  there 
Votes  for  twelve  Constables,  &  the  same  being  brought  in  & 
sorted  it  Appeared  that  nine  only  —  Viz*. 

Messrs :  William  Patten    --------  sworn 

Samuel  Smith       -- sworn 

Samuel  Whitney sworn 

Barthw :  Broaders sworn 

Rufus  Bent sworn 

Isaac  Wendell sworn 

John  Butterfield  --■ sworn 

George  Hamlin   --- sworn 

John  Jenkins sworn 

were  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  5 

[302.]  Francis  Shaw  Esqr.  having  desired  to  be  excused  from 
serving  as  a  Fire  Ward,  he  was  accordingly  excused,  and  on  a 
Motion 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Francis  Shaw  Esqr.  for  his  long  &  faithful  Services  as  a  Fire 
Ward  — 

Samuel  Austin  Esqr.  was  excused  by  the  Town  from  serving 
as  a  Selectman, 

The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for  one  Select- 
man in  the  room  of  Mr :  Austin ;  upon  sorting  the  same  it  ap- 
peared that 

David  Jeffries  Esqr. 
was  chosen  a  Selectman  for  the  Year  ensuing  unanimously 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in  their  Votes  for  a 
Town  Treasurer  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that 

Mr.  Peter  Boyer 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  unanimously 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  there 
Votes  for  a  County  Treasurer,  which  were  received  &  Sealed  up 
in  Meeting,  and  then  delivered  to  Constable  Smith,  to  be  by 
him  returned  to  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  at 
there  next  Meeting  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  late  Town  Treasurers 
Accounts,  was  read  —  [303]  whereupon  it  was  moved  &  Voted, 
that  the  same  be  recommitted,  and  that 

Joseph  Barrell  Esqr. 

Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Horskins 
be  Added  to  the  Committee,  who  are  desired  to  Report  at  the 
Adjournment 

Deacon  Newell  chosen  an  Overseer  was  excused  by  the  Town 
from  serving  in  that  Office 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  excused  by  the  Town  from  serving  as  a 
Fire  Ward  the  Year  ensuing 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  Money  Matters, 
be  referred  to  four  O'Clock  Afternoon  — 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew,  and  brought  in  their  Votes  for  two 
Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that  — 


6  City  Document. 

Mr :  Henry  Prentice 

Mr :  Jonathan  L.  Austin 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  year  ensuing  unani- 
mously — 

Adjourned  to  3.  OClock  Afternoon 

3  O'Clock  Afternoon  met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  ia  their  Votes  for  two 
Fire  Wards  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that 
Cap* :  Mungo  Mack-ay 
Mr.  Joseph  Russel  Ju1'. 
were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  year  ensuing 

[304.]  Voted,  that  the  Gentelmen  the  Selectmen  be  requested 
to  lay  a  State  of  the  New  Emission  State  Tax  before  the  Town 
as  soon  as  may  be 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  and  fifty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Treasurer  the 
present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due,  and  to  commence  the  first  of  March  Inst  — 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  Esqr.  be  allowed  and  paid  the  sum 
of  One  hundred  &  fifty  pounds  for  all  his  services  in  that  Office 
the  Year  ensuing  as  Town  Clerk,  the  same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  from  the  first 
of  March  Inst : 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  further  consideration  of  Salaries 
be  referred  to  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  — 

Voted,  that,  the  Committee  appointed  to  consider  and  Report 
on  the  State  of  the  Schools,  be  desired  to  Report  at  the  last 
Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  — 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  next  10.  O'Clock  Forenoon  — 

Wednesday  March  10th.  10  O'Clock  Forenoon  —  met  accord- 
ing to  Adjournment 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and 
hereby  are  given  unto  [305]  Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr.  for  his  good 
and  faithful  Services  as  a  Selectman  for  Seven  Years  past  also  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Tuttle  Hubbart  Esq1'  for  his  good  &  faithful  Services  as  a 
Selectman  for  some  Years  past 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  7 

The  following  Persons  were  chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for 
the  ensuing  year  —  Viz*.  — 

Messrs.  Arnold  Wells  Junr : 
Daniel  Austin 
Thomas  Amory  Junr : 
Gilbert  Deblois 
Joseph  Woodward 
Thomas  Rogers 
Martin  Sohier 
Nathaniel  Gardner 
Samuel  Gillman 
James  Minot 
Daniel  Greenleaff 
Simon  Eliot  Jur.  (all  sworn) 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  Collectors  of  Taxes  be  chosen  sepe- 
rate  from  Constables 

Messrs :  William  McNeil 
Edward  How 
were  chosen  Surveyers  of  Hemp  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mess1'8 :  George  Hamlin  —  sworn 
Samuel  Curtis  —  sworn 
were  chosen  Haywards  for  the  year  ensuing 

[306.]  Messrs :  William  Sharp 

Jacob  Edes 
Josiah  Simpson 
John  Skinner 
were  chosen  Hogreeves  for  the  ensuing  Year 

Mess1'8 :  John  Neat 

Jonathan  Stoddard 
Daniel  Brown 
William  Clough 
Samuel  Todd 
were  chosen  Fence  Viewers  for  the  year  ensuing 

Mess1'8.  Nathan  Green 
Samuel  Bangs 
Joseph  Hayden 
Stephen  Gore 
were  chose  Sealers  of  Leathers  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mr.  William  Dawes  Jun1' : 
was  chosen  an  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Year  ensuing 


8  City  Document. 

Ward 

Messrs :  John  Brown N°.     1 

Jedediah  Parker 2 

Abiel  Ruddock 3 

Peter  Sigorney 4 

James  Cary  Junr 5 

Foster  Condy -6 

Isaac  Pierce 7 

Zachariak  Hicks -8 

Shubael  Hews ---9 

Joseph  Shed  --• 10 

[307.]  George  Langley 11 

Joseph  Sprague ---12 

were  chosen  Scavingers  for  the  year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chosen  Assay  Masters  for  the  year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  the' Town  will  not  come  to  the  choice  of  purchasers 
of  Grain  — 

The  Selectmen 
were  chosen  Surveyers  of  the  High  Ways  for  the  Year  ensuing 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Tuckerman 

Mr.  John  Jenkins 

John  White  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Wheat  &  Flour  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Town  having  by  a  Vote  determined  to  choose  seven  As- 
sessors —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring 
in  their  Votes  accordingly,  and  the  same  being  brought  in  & 
sorted,  it  appeared  that 

Messrs :  William  Lowder 
Gyles  Harris  Esqr : 
Moses  May 
John  Pulling 

Barthw  :  Kneeland  —  (excused) 
Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
Cap*.  William  Fleet 
were  chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[308.]     Adjourned  to  3.  OClock  Afternoon  then  to  meet 

3  OClock  Afternoon  —  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

Mr.  Bartholomew  Kneeland,  having  been  excused  from  serving 
as  an  Assessor  the  Inhabitants  brought  in  there  Votes  for  one  in 
his  room  —  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  9 

-*•*     Mr.  ffebn'R.  Sigorney 
was  chosen  Assessor-,  unanimously. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Vizt.  —  "  Whether  the  Town  will 
reconsider  their  late  Vote  for  the  Treasurer  not  issuing  Jris  W ar- 
rant against  Delinquent  Collectors."  was  read,  wherenpojn  Voted, 

That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  and  he  hereby  is  directed  to  issue 
his  Warrant  against  Delinquent  Collectors  until],  the  further 
Orders  of  the  Town  the  Vote  of  the  26  of  December  notwith- 
standing 

The  Town  having  determined  to  come  to  the  choice  of  four 
Collectors  of  Taxes  —  The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in 
their  Votes  accordingly,  when  it  appeared  that  the  following 
Persons  —  Viz'. 

Messrs :  James  Thompson sworn 

Thomas  Bayley sworn 

Daniel  Parker sworn 

Charles  Williams sworn 

were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year,  ensuing 

[309.]  That  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz':  "To  consider 
what  further  Measures  are  necessary  to  regulate  the  Market  "  — 
was  read  —  whereupon  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Committee  for  carrying  the  Votes 
of  the  Town  into  execution  with  respect  to  Dock  Square  and 
the  Market,  be  a  Committee  to  consider  what  further  measures 
are  necessary  to  regulate  the  Market,  and  Report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment— 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  twelve  Persons  be  chosen  as  Surveyors 
of  Boards  for  the  present  Year  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Cullers  of  Staves  & 
Hoops,  and  Surveyers  of  Boards,  and  Shingles,  be  referred  to 
the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  —  and  that  those  Officers  be 
chosen  by  Ballot 

Voted,  that  Edward  Payne  Esq1 : 

Herman  Brimer  Esqr : 

Edward  Green  Esqr : 

Charles  Miller  Esqr : 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr : 
be,  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the  Ac- 
compts  of  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  Treasurer,  and  also  the  Accompts  of 
the  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  and  the  said  Committee  are  impowered 
when  they  shall  Audit  said  Accompts,  to  allow  such  of  the  Over- 
seers as  shall  have  Advanced  Monies  [310.]  for  the  Relief  of 
the  Poor,  Interest  on  all  such  Sums  from  the  Time  so  advanced, 


10  City  Document. 

untill  they  have  Audited  said  Accompts ;  and  they  are  also 
desired  to  Report  from  time  to  time  a  State  of  the  Treasury 
respecting  its  Debts  and  Credits,  and  on  any  Matters  that  they 
may  think  proper  — 

And  the  Committee  are  also  directed  to  examine  the  Draughts 
of  the  Selectmen 

Adjourned  Tto  Thursday  the  18th.  Day  of  March  Inst:  10. 
O'Clock  in  the  Forenoon 

Thursday  the  18th  Day  of  March  10  OClock  Forenoon  —  met 
according  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  for  carrying  the  Votes  of  the  Town  into  effect 
with  respect  to  Dock  Square  and  the  Market  —  Report  the  fol- 
lowing regulations  — 

1st.  —  That  the  North  East  Corner  of  the  Market  house  be 
appropriated  as  an  Office  for  the  Clerk  of  the  Market  — 

2d.     That  all  the  Stands  be  numbered  on  the  Rale 

3d.  That  the  Clerk  have  Tickets  numbered  for  each  Stand, 
agreeable  to  the  number  on  the  Rale,  the  Market  Men  to  call, 
upon  him  at  his  Office  and  take  their  proper  stands  by  Lot  — 

4th.  That  the  Clerk  keep  a  Book  of  the  Names  of  the  Market 
Men,  and  the  number  of  their  stands  also  that  he  keep  a  fair 
Account  of  all  the  Monies  he  may  receive  from  them  from  time 
to  time 

[3 lit]  5th.  —  That  those  who  do  not  Apply  for  a  Stand  in  a 
fortnight  After  notice  is  given  by  the  Clerk,  but  stop  in  the 
Streets  contrary  to  Law  shall  be  prosecuted 

6th  That  the  Market  Men  pay  Weekly  for  their  Stands,  in 
Ranges  N°.  1.  2.  3.  4.  &  5.  at  the  rate  of  3/  for  their  Stands,  in 
Ranges  N°.  8  —  at  2/ N°.  6  &  7  for  Panyards  at  2/  ^  day  — 
The  Range  on  the  North  Side  the  Market  House  for  Lemmon 
Sellers  &c  not  exceeding  3/  °§  Week  at  the  discretion  of  the 
Clerk 

7th.  That  the  Clerk  follow  the  directions  of  the  Selectmen 
from  time  to  time ;  that  he  have  a  reasonable  Allowance  for  his 
Services  —  And  that  the  Selectmen  afford  him  such  Assistance 
as  he  may  have  occasion  for  — 

8th.  That  the  Horses  &  Cattle  be  taken  from  the  Carts  and 
fastnecl  to  the  Rails  on  the  South  side  the  Market  House 

Henry  Prentice  ^  Order 

9th.  That  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  be  directed  to  settle  his 
Accounts  of  Monies  received,  with  the  Town  Treasurer  once  in 
three  Months,  and  to  pay  him  any  ballance  then  in  his  hands  — 

The  foregoing  Report,  having  been  considered  the  Question 
was  put  —  Whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the 
Affirmative 

The   Inhabitants    having  withdrawn  and   as   directed   by  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  11 

Moderator  brought  in  their  Votes  for  three  Constables,  and  the 
same  being  sorted  it  appeared,  that 

Mess1'8 :  Isaac  Tuckerrnan  sworn 

Nathaniel  Henchman       sworn 
John  Turner  Hierly         sworn 
were  chosen  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[312.]  Col0:  Proctor  chosen  into  the  Office  of  Fire  Ward, 
having  desired  that  he  may  be  excused  from  serving  in  that 
Office,  the  Question  was  accordingly  put  —  which  passed  in  the 
Negative 

Moved,  and  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  all  Money  Matters 
be  referred  over  to  the  Adjournment  —  and  that  notice  be  given 
thereof  in  the  Publick  Prints 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  shall  be  Adjourned, 
it  shall  be  to  the  5th.  Day  of  April  next,  being  Monday  3.  OClock 
'  Afternoon  — 

Mr.  John  Lowel  chosen  a  Fire  Ward  having  desired  to  be 
excused  from  serving  in  that  Office,  he  was  accordingly  excused  — 

Major  Melvillee  chosen  a  Fire  Ward  having  desired  to  be  ex- 
cused from  serving  in  that  Office  he  was  accordingly  excused  — 

John  Scollay,  having  desired  to  be  excused  from  serving  as  a 
Fire  Ward,  he  was  accordingly  excused  — 

Col0.  Proctor  chosen  one  of  the  Fire  Wards,  for  the  present 
year,  came  into  Meeting  and  informed  the  Town  that  he  should 
not  serve  in  that  Office  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  -Surveyers  of  Boards,  and  Shingles,  and  upon 
sorting  them  it  appeared,  that 

[313.]  Mess1'8 :  John  Champney 

Joseph  Butler 
Henry  Blaisdel 
Benjamin  Page 
Abraham  Howard 
Joseph  Ballard 
James  Rogers 
Edmund  Ranger 
Clement  Collins 
Joseph  Eyres 
Samuel  Fenno 
Samuel  Dyer 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 


12  City  Document. 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  John  Scollay  Esqr :  for  his  good  and  faithful  Services  as  a 
Fire  Ward  for  thirty  five  years  Past  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Col0.  Proctor  for  his  good  and  faithful  Services  as  a  Fire 
Ward  for  twelve  Years  Past 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  Thomas  Melvillee  for  his  good  and  faithful  Services  as  a  Fire 
ward  for  several  years  Past  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  Mr.  John  Lowel  for  his  good  and  faithful  Services  as  a  Fire- 
Ward  for  a  Number  of  Years  past 

[314.]  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  given  unto  Mr.  Nicholas  Bowes  for  his  good  services  as  an 
Overseer  of  the  Poor  for  a  Number  of  Years  Past 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Samuel  Barret  Esqr :  for  his  good  and  faithful  Services  as 
an  Overseer  of  the  Poor,  a  Number  of  years  Past 

Adjourned  to  Monday  the  5lh.  Day  of  April  next,  3.  OClock  in 
the  Afternoon  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  •  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualifyed  and  legally  warned  in  Publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  15 
Day  of  March  A.  D.  1784 

Warrant  for  calling  Meeting  —  read 

Voted  —  to  choose  a  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

William  Tuclor  Esq1,  was  chosen  Moderator  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz'.  "To  receive  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  [315.]  Appointed  to  draught  a  Letter  in  Answer 
to  a  Letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the  Towns  of 
Wren th am  &  Medway  relative  to  a  County  Meeting  at  Dedham 
the  third  Wednesday  in  March  Instant"  — was  read  — 

The  Committee  to  draught  a  Letter  to  the  Committees  of  the 
Towns  of  Wrentharn  &  Medway  Reported  their  draught  &  the 
same  having  been  considered  &  Ammended  was  Accepted  by  the 
Town  —  And  is  as  follows  to  Viz*. 

To  Mr :  Joshua  Partridge  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  the 
Towns  of  Wrentharn  &  Medway,  and  Acting  by  Advice  of  the 
Selectmen  of  the  Towns  of  Franklin  &  Bellingham 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  13 

Sir 

The  Selectmen  of  the  Town  of  Boston  have  Received  a 
Letter  sign'd  by  you  as  Chairman  of  a  Committee  choes  by  the 
Towns  of  Wrentham  and  Medway  (with  the  Advice  of  the  Select- 
men of  Franklin  &  Bellingham)  to  write  Letters  in  order  to 
procure  a  Meeting  of  the  Count}7  of  Suffolk,  —  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  Commutation  to  the  Officers.  And  the  Act  of  this 
State  granting  an  impost  to  Congress  —  This  Letter  Sir  was  laid 
before  a  very  full  Meeting  of  this  Town,  legally  Assembled  and 
After  a  fair  Debate  it  was  unanimously  Determined,  to  express 
the  sorrow  of  the  Town  that,  at  a  time  when  we  have  a  constitu- 
tion of  our  own  chusing,  and  which  has  been  approved  of  by  the 
World,  there  should  yet  remain  any  uneasy  Persons  in  the  com- 
munity who  could  form  the  fruitless  design  of  disturbing  [316.] 
the  tranquility  of  the  State  by  proposing  the  unnecessary  measure 
of  Meeting  by  Counties  —  There  was  a  time  when  we  were  gov- 
erned by  foreign  Power,  and  a  redress  of  grievances  could  be 
had  in  no  Other  way ;  but  thank  Heaven,  that  time  is  gone,  & 
gone  forever,  unless  the  baneful  influence  of  a  few  restless  Spirits 
should  induce  the  People  at  Large  by  County  Meetings  and 
irregular  Assemblyes  to  raise  such  commotions,  as  might  eventu- 
ally Overturn  the  Constitution  and  again  leave  us  a  prey  to 
foreign  Power,  or  what  is  worse  intestine  convulsions  —  If  Con- 
gress sometime  err,  we  should  remember,  that  being  annually 
elected  we  have  it  in  our  Power,  by  a  better  choise  to  prevent 
the  evil  in  future;  —  the  same  is  the  case  of  the  General  Court, 
they  have  existance  but  for  a  year ;  —  and  there  can  be  no  doubt 
the  community  at  large  would  be  very  greatly  benefitted  if  the 
Towns  in  particular  would  exert  themselves  to  put  their  most 
suitable  Characters  into  these  important  stations.  —  With  respect 
to  the  subject  of  your  Letter  Commutation,  and  the  Act  of  the 
State  on  the  Impost,  we  must  take  the  Liberty  to  express  our 
entire  disapprobation  of  your  intended  endeavours,  as  they  seem 
clearly  to  us,  to  be  not  only  vain  but  very  unjust.  Why  should 
we  wish  to  keep  from  the  Officers  of  our  Army  the  hard  earned 
reward  they  may  receive  from  the  Commutation  ?  It  was  prom- 
ised most  solemny  by  Congress  in  the  hour  of  Danger.  It  was 
then  Approved  of  by  the  People,  and  ought  on  very  equitable  prin- 
cipal to  be  made  good  in  this  Day  of  Peace,  a  Peace  Obtained  by 
the  perilous  exertions  [31*7.]  of  these  very  men  (in  conjunc- 
tion with  our  Magnanimous,  Allies)  who  are  to  receive  the  pit- 
tance, and  a  pittance  it  is,  when  we  consider  the  Money  they 
realise  from  this  mighty  boon,  will  not  make  good  the  arrearages 
of  their  pay  ;  and  altho  your  Towns,  and  the  Towns  of  the  Select- 
men whose  Advise  you  follow,  may  be  Adverse  to  the  Commuta- 
tion, yet  we  presume  they  will  not  deny  the  Justice  of  pay  for  the 
time  they  were  in  actual  Service  :  If  they  will  raise  immediately 
as  much  Money  as  will  pay  their  proportion  of  Only  two  thirds  of 
the  arrearages  due  to  the  Officers  —  with  this  Money  they  may 
purchase  the  Amount  of  the  whole,  and  the  commutation  into  the 
Bargain.     This  we  think  the  only  way  for  those  who  say  they 


14  *  City  Document. 

are  agrieved  to  settle  the  matter.  —  For  if  the  States  "were  able 
to  prevent  paying  it  (and  could  be  once  so  lost  to  a  Sence  of 
Justice  and  honor  as  to  desire  it)  the  Commutation  is  so  wisely 
blended  with  the  National  Debt,  that  all  the  County  Conventitions 
upon  the  face  of  the  Earth  could  not  make  the  distinctions.  If 
therefore  there  are  any  who  have  the  Ability,  but  want  the  honesty 
to  contribute  their  proportion  they  must  set  down  contended,  for 
in  our  Opinion  it  is  out  of  their  power  to  prevent  it. — With 
respect  to  the  Impost,  we  are  of  Opinion  that  if  we  ever  mean  to 
be  a  Nation  we  must  give  power  to  Congress  and  funds  too  ;  for 
without  them  we  can  never  pay  our  Debts ;  and  without  a  just 
payment  of  our  debts,  in  what  other  light  can  [318.]  we  be 
possibly  viewed  by  the  World  in  general  and  every  honest  Man  in 
particular,  than  that  of  Bankruptcy  qr  Knavery?  The  former 
is  by  no  means  the  Case,  for  we  are  Rich  in  recorses,  and  want 
only  the  Will  to  bring  them  out  —  and  we  trust  the  Latter  will 
never  be  justly  charged  to  the  United  States  —  We  therefore 
desire,  as  far  as  this  Town  has  a  voice  in  the  County,  that  the 
proposed  Convention  may  never  meet :  but  if  they  should,  we 
hope  they  will  so  far  'Consider  the  justice  and  propriety  of  sub- 
mitting to  those  Acts  which  they  now  complain  of  as  a  grievance 
as  chearf ully  to  Acquiesce  in  them ;  and  that  they  will  then  sepe- 
rate,  without  taking  any  steps,  that  may  eventually  tend  to  bring, 
this  Country  into  contempt ;  for  if  they  should,  we  shall  be  con- 
straind,  as  in  duty  bound,  solemny  to  protest  against  them  — 

Voted,  that  the  foregoing  Letter  be  signed  by  the  Town  Clerk 
in  behalf  of  the  Town  and  transmitted  as  soon  as  may  be 

Voted,   that  the  Letter  from  the  Committee   of   Medway  to- 
gether with  the  foregoing  be  published  as  soon  as  may  be 

then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[319.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  twenty  one  years  of  Age  and  upwards  qualified  as 
the  Constitution  prescribes,  and  legally  warned  in  publick  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuiel  Hall  on  Monday  the  5th.  Day  of 
April  Anno  Domini.  1784 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Clark  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read  — 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  form  of  Goverment  relative 
to  the  choice  of  Governour  Leiu4 :  Governour  and  Six  Senators 
for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  also  read  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  15 

On  a  Motion 

Voted,  that  the  Town  will  now  come  to  ye  :  choise  of 
a  Governour  &  Lieu*.  Governour  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County 
of  Suffolk  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be 
received  but  such  as  are  unfolded  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll 
shall  be  closed  at  One.  OClock  — 

It  was  then  moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Bells  in  the  Town  be 
set  a  ringing  at  half  past  Twelve  OClock  — 

Persons  Voted,  for  as  Governour  with  the  Number  of  Votes, 
for  each  Person — Viz1. 

Vote  9 

[320.]     His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr.     .     -     -     -  560 
Honble :  James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 10 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieutenant  Governor,  with  the  Number 
of  Votes  for  each  Person  —  Viz*.  — 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esq1'. 565 

Honble.  James  Warren  Esqr. '-     -     -       3 

Honble :  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 1 

Honble :  Elbridge  Gerry  Esq1'. 1 

Honble :  Francis  Dana  Esq1'.  .--- 1 

Persons  Voted,  for  as  Senators,  for  the  County  of  Suffolk 
with  the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  —  Viz*.  — 

Votes 

Honble.  Samuel  Adams  Esq1'.   ------  525 

Honble.  Jeremiah  Powell  Esq1'. 558 

John  Brown  Esqr. -  245 

Honble.  John  Lowell  Esqr. 253 

Honble.  William  Heath  Esq1'.    ------  488 

Honble.  Cotton  Tufts  Esqr.      ------  555 

Honble.  Jabez  Fisher  Esq1'. 559 

Honble.  Samuell  Nyles  Esqr.    - 28 

Honble.  Samuel  Dexter  Esq1'.   - 4 

Honble.  John  Pitts  Esq1'.      ---_---  10 

Richard  Cranch  Esq1'.  -           -     -     -     -  2 

Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  -     ------  2 

John  Rowe  Esq1-. 4 

Thomas  Daws  Esq1.       - 1 

Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esqr.  ------  7 

Honble.  William  Phillips  Esqr. 22 

M1' :  Benjamin  Edes  ---------  1 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 9 

Honble.  Stephen  Higgenson  Esqr.       ...     -  18 


16  City  Document. 

[321.]     Honble.  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 5 

Isaac  Smith  Esqr. 5 

Honble.  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr.     -----  n 

Benjamin  Hitchborne  Esqr                -     -  1 

Arnold  Wells  Esqr. 1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Lieu- 
tenant Governour  &  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were 
committed  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  Sne 
Pasures  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows 
Viz*. 

For 

John  Avery  Junr :  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

The  Number  of  Votes  for  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Governour 
Lieutenant  Governour  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk Certifyed  within  and  Seald  up  in  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


At  an  Adjournment  of  the  March  Meeting  April  the  5th.  —  3 
OClock  Afternoon 

1 

The  Comittee  appointed  to  consider  of  a  future  Arangment 
of  the  free  Schools  In  this  Town  beg  leave  to  Report  — 

That  they  cannot  on  this  Occasion,  avoid  expressing  a  Vener- 
ation of  our  Ancistors  for  their  Wisdom,  Piety  and  early  Care  in 
providing  for  the  Instruction  of  Children,  not  only  in  Reading, 
Writing  and  Arithmetick  which  [322.]  are  Necessary  to  qualify 
them  for  common  and  ordanary  Employments,  but  also  in  estab- 
lishing Gramrner  Schools  in  which  such  of  them  as  may  be 
inclined  may  have  the  oppertunity  of  being  initiated  into  a  fur- 
ther Degree  of  Education,  whereby  they  may  be  rendered  more 
eminintly  useful  to  the  Community  as  they  successively  enter 
upon  the  Stage  of  Life.  Our  free  Schools  seem  to  have  been 
interested  for  the  Benefit  of  the  Poor  and  the  Rich  ;  that  the 
Children  of  all,  partaking  of  equal  Advantages  and  being  placed 
upon  an  equal  Footing,  no  Distinction  might  be  made  among 
them  in  the  Schools  on  Account  of  the  different  Circumstances 
of  their  Parents,  but  that  the  Capacity  &  natural  Genious  of 
each  might  be  cultivated  &  improved  for  the  future  Benefit  of 
the  whole  Community.  The  Institution  appears  so  exceedingly 
important  to  this  great  End,  that  it  must  give  Pain  to  every  one 
who  duly  regards  the  future  Wellfare  of  the  Community,  when 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  17 

any  of  the  Children  are  found  even  in  School  Hours,  playing  in 
the  Streets,  or  still  worse  gathering  into  Clusters  and  inuring 
their  impressive  Minds  to  the  abominable  Vice  of  gaming  by  prac- 
ticing in  the  lowest  Arts  of  it  —  Whether  such  Instances  are 
owing  to  the  too  fond  Indulgence  of  Parents  —  or  too  lax  a 
Government  in  Schools,  or  to  any  other  Cause  the  Disgrace  which 
it  may  [323.]  bring  on  the  Town  in  the  Opinion  of  Observing 
sensible  Foreigners  will  be  among  the  least  of  its  evil  Effects, 
Much  depends  upon  the  Characters  &  moral  Conduct  as  well  as 
the  Abilities  of  those  who  are  the  Instructors  of  Children  & 
youth ;  and  therefore  it  is  much  to  be  wished,  that  it  may  be 
especially  recommended  to  the  Selectmen  to  take  Care  that  no 
Person  may  be  Allowed  to  Open  a  Private  School  without  their 
Approbation  agreeable  to  a  good  and  Salutary  Law  of  the  Com- 
monwealth. — 

Moreover  the  Practice  of  the  School-Masters  in  instructing  the 
same  Children  who  are  intitled  to  the  Benifit  of  the  publick 
Schools,  at  other  Hours  than  those  devoted  to  the  Town  hath  a 
Tendency  to  draw  their  Attention  from  the  Publick  to  the  private 
Schools,  to  excite  on  odious  Distinction  between  those  whose 
Parents  can  Afford  the  Expence  of  their  Attending  the  private 
Schools  &  those  who  cannot.  - — And  it  greatly  increases  the  Gen- 
eral Expence  of  Education. — It  is  therefore  the  Opinion  of  the 
Committee  that  the  Schoolmasters  employed  by  the  Town  ought 
not  to  teach  such  of  the  Male  Children  of  the  Inhabitants  as  are 
under  the  Age  of  fourteen  years,  in  the  same  branches  of  Learn- 
ing at  their  private  and  the  publick  Schools  — 

If  the  foregoing  Opinions  of  the  Committee  respecting  the 
Practice  of  the  Schoolmasters  shall  meet  the  Approbation  of  the 
[324.]  Town,  they  will  in  that  case  be  abridged  of  certain  Per- 
quisetes  which  they  have  heretofore  received,  with,  at  least  the 
tacit  Consent  of  the  Town ;  and  therefore  the  Committee  beg 
leave  to  recommend  to  the  Consideration  of  the  Town  Whether 
such  Adition  should  not  be  made  to  their  Salaries  as  to  enable 
them  to  support  their  own  Children  &  Families  and  in  the  Exer- 
cise of  that  Cardinal  Virtue,  Prudence  to  lay  up  for  them  such  a 
Moderate  Overplus,  as  every  industrious  &  provident  Inhabitant 
wishes  to  do  for  his  own  Family  at  the  Period  of  Needfulness  or 
Life  —  But  if  the  Town  should  think  it  proper  that  the  practice 
should  continue  with  Respect  to  the  Instruction  of  any  of  the 
Children  at  what  are  called  private  Hours,  the  Committee  recomend 
that  the  terms  of  Instruction  at  such  Hours  be  regulated  by  the 
Selectmen  or  a  standing  Committee  for  regulating  the  Schools  — 

The  case  of  the  Female  Children  of  the  Town,  in  the  Opinion 
of  the  Committee  requires  particular  Consideration,  Whether 
some  Provision  should  not  be  made  for  them,  as  is  necessary  to 
render  them  more  useful  Members  of  the  Community  ;  especially 
those  whose  Parents  are  unable  to  Afford  them  such  Instruction.  — 

The  Committee  were  at  Pains  to  ascertain  how  many  Children 
do  &  how  many  do  not,  enjoy  the  Benifit  of  any  Schools  either 


18  City  Document 

Publick  or  Private,  Apprehending  the  [325.]  Number  to  be  very 
large  also  the  Names  of  the  Persons  who  are  private  instructors 
in  the  Town  but  having  failed  of  Obtaining  this  Information 
which  however  the  Committee  consider  as  very  necessary  to  be 
Obtain 'd  by  the  Town  they  have  not  been  Able  to  form  a  Plan, 
as  they  intended  on  this  Ground.  But  they  venture  to  recomend 
for  the  present,  that  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be  Authorized,  to 
give  Certificates  to  such  Parents  or  Guardians  as  may  Apply,  or 
who,  they  may  be  convinsed,  are  not  able  to  bear  the  expence 
of  haveing  their  Children  instructed  in  the  early  Stage  of  School 
Instruction  (and  the  Female  Children  of  a  Suitable  Age  in  com- 
mon Nedle  work)  for  which  no  provision  is  already  made,  & 
that  they  allow  such  Schoolmasters  &  Schoolmistresses  as  they 
shall  direct,  the  usual  Sum  given  ^er  Week  for  the  Instruction 
of  each  of  such  Children. 

The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  and  considered,  the 
Town  came  into  the  following  Votes.  Viz* :  — 

Voted,  that  the  practise  of  the  Schoolmasters  in  receiving 
Entrance  &  Fire  Money  (so  called)  be  abolished  as  inconsistant 
with  that  Freedom  of  Education  which  was  originally  intended  in 
the  Institution  of  the  Publick  Schools  and  introductory  of  such 
Distinction  as  injure  the  Minds  of  the  Scollars  &  tending  to 
deprive  many  Poor  Children  of  the  Benefit  of  the  sd.  Schools 

[326.]  Voted,  that  the  Publick  Schools  be  provided  with 
Fire  wood  at  the  Discretion  of  the  Selectmen  to  be  paid  for  by 
their  Draft  on  the  Town  Treasury 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  not  to  employ  or  Con- 
tinue any  Person  as  a  Publick  Schoolmaster  or  Usher  who  shall 
not  agree  to  have  the  Terms  of  Instruction  of  the  Children  of  the 
Town  at  Private  hours  regulated  by  the  Selectmen 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  not  to  approve  of  or 
continue  any  Person  as  a  Private  Schoolmaster  within  the  Town 
unless  such  Master  shall  agree  to  be  governed  by  such  regula- 
tions as  to  the  Prise  of  his  Instruction  as  the  Selectmen  from 
time  to  time  shall  see  fit  to  make 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  furnish  the  Selectmen 
as  soon  as  may  be  with  an  Account  of  all  the  Children  in  the 
several  Wards  between  the  Ages  of  four  &  fourteen  years,  dis- 
tinguishing the  Males  from  the  Females  and  knowing  how  many 
of  each  are  under  the  Age  of  Seven  years,  and  also  how  many 
are  instructed  at  publick  &  how  many  at  Private  School  &  how 
many  at  Both 

Voted,  that  John  R.  Sigorney  )  Ward 

Cap*.  William  Brown     j  No.     1 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784. 


[327.] 


Alexr.  Hill 
Major  Parkman 

Deacon  Tudor 
Benjamin  Burk 

Deacon  Sharp 
Col0.  Syms 

Thomas  Hitchborn 
Sam1.  Austin 

Joseph  Hall 
Cap6.  Wm.  Bell 

Deacon  Newell 
Capt*.  Job  Prince 

Deacon  Simpkins 
John  Codman 

Bartholomew  Kneeland 
John  Proctor 

Thomas  Tileston 
Cap* :  Sam1 :  Payne 

Col0.  Waters 
Samuel  Ruggles 


Cap* :  Amasa  Davis 
Samuel  May 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  Aforesaid 


10 


11 


12 


Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  require  of  the  several  publick  & 
private  Schoolmasters  in  this  Town  to  furnish  them  within  10 
Days  with  an  Account  of  all  the  Children  by  them  Instructed 
marking  how  many  Attend  their  publick  how  many  their  private 
Schools  &  how  many  both.  - — 

It  was  then  moved  &  Voted 
[328.]  that  the  aforegoing  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Schools 
be  recommitted  so  far  as  has  not  been  Acted  upon 

The  Committee  to  Audit  Accounts  —  reported  when  it  was 
Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  said  report  subside  for 
the  present 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Thomas  Walley 
Joseph  Barrell 
Josiah  Waters  Junr.  Esqr. 


20  City  Document. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  of  an  Adequate  Provision  for  the 
Schoolmasters  &  to  report  as  soon  as  may  be 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next  being  the  12th.  Instant  3  OClock 
Afternoon  — 

Monday  the  12th  of  April  —  3  OClock  Afternoon  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in  their  Votes  for  one 
Constable,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that, — 

John  Pownall 
was  chosen  Constable  for  the  Year  ensuing  unanimously  — 

The  Town  brought  in  their  Votes  for  four  Fire  Wards,  and 
the  same  having  been  sorted  it  Appeared  that 
Cap*.  John  Ballard 
Andrew  Symes  Esqr. 
Paul  D.  Sergent  Esqr. 
Mr.  Joseph  Clark 
[339.]     were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  a  Vote  of  the  Town  of  the  5th. 
Instant  to  Consider  of  an  Adequate  Provision  for  the  School 
Masters  have  Attended  that  Service  &  having  conferee!  with  some 
of  the  School  Masters  &  duly  considered  the  Matter  are  Unan- 
imously of  Opinion,  the  following  Sums  be  Allowed  &  paid  the 
several  Schoolmasters  for  their  Services  for  the  present  Year 
their  pay  to  Commence  the  first  day  of  March  last,  to  be  paid 
quarterly  — 


To  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  Master  of  the  South  Grammer 
School  Two  hundred   &  thirty  pounds  ^  Annum 


230 


To  Mr.    Nathan  Davis  Master  of  ye.  North  Gram- 
mer   School    Two    hundred    &   thirty   pounds   "$  ^    230  — 
Annum - 

To  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  ye.  North  Writing  }    „„„  _ 
School  Two  hundred  pounds  ^  Annum  -     -     -     -  j 

To  Mr.  James  Carter  Master  of  ye.  Writing  School  j    2Q0  _ 
in  Queen  Street  Two  hundred  pounds  ^  Annum    -  j 

To  Mr.  John  Vinal   Master  of   the    South  Writing  )    200- 
School  Two  hundred  pounds  ^  Annum    -     -     -     -  j 

The  Above  Salarys  to  be  Allowed  Exclusive  of  what  is  allowed 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  21 

for  House  Kent  to  those  who  are  Obliged  to  Hire  —  Your  Com- 
mittee also  beg  leave  to  Recomend  to  the  Town  that  some  Mode 
may  be  Adopted  that  the  Schoolmasters  may  be  [330.]  punc- 
tually paid  their  Salarys  at  the  Experation  of  each  quarter  — 
Boston  April  12th.  1784.     All  which  is  submitted. 

Thos.  Walley  f  Order 

The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered  a  Motion 
was  made  to  reconsider  two  Votes  passed  at  the  late  Meeting 
relative  to  the  private  Hours  of  the  School  Masters  but  did  not 
Obtain  — 

The  Town  then  passed  the  following  Votes  —  Viz*. 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Two  Hundred  &  thirty  pounds  be  Al- 
lowed &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of 
the  South  Grammer  School  the  present  Year  to  commence  the 
first  of  March  last  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  Pounds  be  Al- 
lowed and  paid  unto  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  for  his  Sallary  as  Master 
of  the  North  Grammer  School  the  present  year  to  commence  from 
the  first  of  March  last  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  Mr.  James  [John]  Tileston  for  his  salary  as  Master  of 
the  North  Writing  School  the  present  year  the  same  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from  the 
first  of  March  last 

[331.]  Voted,  that  the  sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  al- 
lowed &  paid  unto  Mr.  James  Carter  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of 
the  Writing  School  in  Queen  Street  the  present  Year  commencing 
from  the  first  of  March  last,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly 
as  it  shall  become  due  — - 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  Allowed  and 
paid  unto  Mr.  John  Vinal  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of  the  Writing 
School  in  the  Common  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  from  the  first 
of  March  last  — ■ 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  the  North  Writing 
School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the  Sum  of 
Forty  pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due  &  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last 

Voted,  that  Mr'.  Nathan  Davis  Master  of  the  North  Grammer 


22  City  Document. 

School  be  Allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the  Sum  of 
Forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due,  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Vinal  Master  of  the  Writing  School  in 
the  Common  be  Allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  year  the 
Sum  of  Forty  pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last  — 

[332.]  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  provide 
Ushers  for  the  publick  Schools  where  they  shall  think  Necessary 
&  to  Allow  Adeque  Salires  therefor,  not  exceeding  One  half  of 
what  the  Several  Masters  have  already  had  Voted  them. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  pay 
the  School  Masters,  Sallaries  as  they  become  due  out  of  any 
Monies  in  his  hands. 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  dispose  of  the 
New  Emission  Money  in  his  Hands,  on  the  best  terms  he  can  the 
produce  thereof  to  be  Applyed  to  the  payment  of  the  Watchmen, 
the  Schoolmasters  &  for  the  Support  of  the  Poor  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of 
the  Town  Treasurer  be  desired  to  prepare  an  estimate  of  the 
Money  necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Servises  of  the  Town  the 
ensuing  Year  Stating  the  particular  Uses  to  which  the  same  is  to 
be  Appropriated  &  to  Report  at  May  Meeting  — 

Voted,  that  Six  Shillings  ^  Day  be  allowed  by  the  Selectmen 
to  the  Assessors  for  their  servises  the  present  Year  — 

Mr.  Aron  May's  Petition  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  [333.]  to  consider  said 
Petition  &  enquire  into  the  Buisness  &  Emoluments  of  the 
Weigher  of  Hay  &  Report  to  the  Town  their  Opinion  of  what 
may  be  proper  to  be  done  thereon  — 

Voted,  that 

Charles  Miller  Esqr. 
Mr.  William  Parsons 
Mr.  Joseph  Green 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  Aforesaid 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Clerk  be  directed  to  hand  into  the  Com- 
mittee to  Audit  Accompts,  a  List  of  all  the  Towns  Estates  the 
Persons  to  whom  they  are  Let  &  the  Rents  arising  therefrom, 
Also  on  Account  of  all  the  Salaries  granted  the  present  Year  and 
to  whom  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  23 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  things  which  remain  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  Over  to  the  next  General  Town  Meeting, 
may  be  called  in  May  next  then  to  be  Acted  upon  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  given  to  John  Brown  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  Modera- 
tor of  this  Meeting- 
Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved. 


[334.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualifyed  and  legally  warned  in  pub- 
lick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the 
12th  Day  of  April  Anno  Domini  1784.  3.  OClock  in  the  After- 
noon — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

John  Tudor  Esq1, 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  by  a  Hand  Vote  and  took 
his  Seat  accordingly. 

A  Circular  Letter  Dated  Milton  March  22.  1784  and  signed 
Thomas  Grain  Chairman  requesting  a  Meeting  of  Committees  at 
Dedham  relative  to  a  proposal  of  some  Towns  for  dividing  the 
County  of  Suffolk  was  read 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  take  into  consideration 
an  order  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  on  the  31  day  of  Janu- 
ary last  respecting  the  Petition  of  Sundry  Persons  in  the  Countys 
of  Suffolk  &  Middlesex  praying  to  be  made  a  Sepei  ate  County  — 
also  a  Circular  Letter  from  the  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Milton 
on  the  same  subject  dated  the  22d  of  March  last "  —  and  after 
some  debate  the  Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  —  Whether  the  Town 
will  now  Appoint  a  Committee  to  meet  Committees  of  other 
Towns  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  at  the  House  of  Mr.  Timothy 
Gay  of  [335.]  Dedham  on  the  22  Day  of  April  10  o'Clock 
Forenoon,  to  consider  of  the  Expediency  or  non  Expediency  of 
dividing  said  County  &  to  report  to  the  Town  at  the  General 
Town  Meeting  May  next  —  passed  in  the  Affermative 

Voted,  that  this  Committee  consist  of  five 
Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'. 
William  Cooper  Esq1. 
Stephen  Higgeson  Esqr. 
Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 


24  City  Document. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  Write  a 
Letter  in  Answer  to  the  Letter  Received  from  Thomas  Crane 
Esq1. 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualifyed  and  legally  Warned  in  publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  11th 
clay  of  May  Anno  Domini  1784 — 10  OClock  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Everet  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  form  of  Government  which 
relates  to  the  choice  of  Representatives  —  read  — 

[336.]  Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  were  ac- 
cordingly —  read 

The  Town  having  Determined  to  choose  Seven  Persons  to 
represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held 
at  the  State  House  at  Boston  the  last  Wednesday  of  May  Current 
Agreeable  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Government  for  the 
Massachusetts. — The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  & 
bring  in  their  Votes,  for  Seven  Representatives,  and  then  it  was 
declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  should  be  received  but 
such  as  are  unfolded  &  that  they  propose  the  Poll  shall  be  closed 
at  12  OClock  — 

On  a  Motion  —  Voted 
that  all  Those  who  Vote  for  Representatives  shall  on  their  giving 
in  their  Respective  Votes,  enter  into  the  Hall  &  there  rernaine 
untill  the  Poll  is  closed  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives  the 
number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  402  —  &  upon  sorting  them 
it  appeared  that  only  the  six  following  Genteimen  were  chosen  by 
a  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz*. 


Votes 

The  Honble. 

William  Phillips 

Esqr. 

387 

Honble 

:  Caleb  Davis  — 

Esqr. 

373 

Sam1.  A.  Otis  — 

Esqr. 

209 

Thomas  Daws  — 

Esqr. 

389 

John  Rowe  — 

Esq1'. 

299 

Sam1.  Breck  — 

Esqr. 

335 

[337.]     Adjourned  to  3  O 'Clock  P :  M  for  the  choice  of  one 
Representative 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  25 

3.  OClock  P.  M.  met  according  to  adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  Directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Representative,  &  it  was  proposed  that  the  Poll  be 
closed  at  half  past  3  OClock  —  The  Votes  brought  in.  the  Number 
were  found  to  be  384  —  &  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 
That 

Votes 
the  Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esqr :  was  chosen      -     -     -     -      314 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  &  Declared  by  the 
Selectmen,  it  was  moved  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  by  hand 
Vote  to  transact  the  Business  enserted  in  the  Warrant  — 

Thomas  Daws  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*. 

To  Consider  the  Petition  of  a  Large 
Number  of  the  Inhabitants  that  the  sence  of  the  Town  may  be 
taken  upon  the  expendcency  of  an  Application  to  the  General 
Court,  for  an  Act  to  Form  the  Town  of  Boston  into  an  Incor- 
porated City  "was  read  &  After  considerable  Debate  it  was 
Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  said  Petition  &  to  report  whether  an  Alteration  in 
the  present  Government  of  the  Town  be  eligible  &  to  report  if 
necessary  a  Plan  for  a  Different  Police 

[338.]     Voted,  that 

The  Honble :  Sam1.  Adams  Esqr. 

Joseph  Barrell  Esqr. 
HonWe  :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 
Honble  :  Rob*.  Treat  Payne  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  —  Esqr. 

Sam1.  Brick  — Esqr 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
Honble  :  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Benja :  Hitchburn  Esqr. 
Honble:  Caleb  Davis  —  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

Caleb  Davis  Esq1. — chosen  a  Representative   sent  in  a  Letter 
Acquainting  the  Town  that  he  has  resign'd 

Voted,  that  John  Lucas  Esqr.  one  of  the  Selectmen  Acquaint 
Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  that  it  is  the  Desire  of  the  Town  that  he  do 
not  Decline  Serving,  as  a  Representative  — 


26  City  Document. 

Adjourned  to  Fryday  Next 
9  oClock  forenoon  — 

Friday  May  14th.  9.  O'Clock  met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

Selectmen  a  Committee  to  Act  upon  Leist  of  Jurors  -- 

The  Subscribers  being  appointed  by  the  Town  to  met  &  confer 
with  the  Committee  of  the  [339.]  Several  Towns  in  the  County 
of  Suffolk,  upon  a  Petition  exhibited  to  the  General  Court  in  their 
last  Session  for  forming  into  one  County  Ten  Towns  in  the 
County  of  Suffolk  &  four  Towns  in  the  County  of  Middlesix, 
having  in  consequence  of  the  Same  Appointment  at  Dedham  on 
the  22  Day  of  April  1784  —  met  in  convention  the  Delagates  from 
the  Towns  of  Roxbury,  Milton,  Brain  tree,  Hingham,  Stoughton, 
Sharon  &  Brookline  in  Addition  to  the  Ten  Towns  in  the  County 
of  Middlesex  Joining  in  the  same  Petition  being  present  &  having 
confer'd  upon  the  subject  matter  of  the  same  Appointment 

Do  Report, 

That  it  appeared  to 
your  Committee,  that  the  Eleven  Petitioning  Towns  who  not  in 
Convention  by  their  Delagates  were  by  no  means  unanimously, 
agreed  in  the  expediency  of  having  the  sd.  fourteen  Towns  in- 
corporated into  one  County  &  that  all  the  other  Towns  then 
present  by  their  Delagates  were  against  the  Measure  the  reasons 
offered  in  favour  of  the  Measure  as  your  Committee  recollect 
them  were,  that  the  Business  of  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  the 
County  of  Suffolk  had  become  so  extensive,  that  Parties  Wit- 
nesses, &  Jurors  we  were  commonly  Oblige  to  attend  at  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  Space  of  three  Weeks  together 
and  sometimes  longer  —  that  the  Travel  from  the  extreeme  parts 
of  the  County  to  the  Shire  Towns  was  longe  &  expensive  that  the 
Regester  of  Deeds  being  remote  from  the  Center  of  the  County 
rendered  the  securing  new  purchases  very  inconvenient  —  That 
the  Probate  Court  being  at  a  Distance  from  the  Petitioning 
Towns  rendered  the  settlement  of  Estates  under  [340.]  Admin- 
istration expensive  —  And  that  the  Interest  &  manners  of  the 
People  in  the  Sea  Port  Towns  were  diverse  &  clisimelar  from 
those  in  the  Country  Towns  —  Your  Committee  by  their  Appoint- 
ment being  Obliged  to  take  the  aforegoing  Reasons  under  their 
consideration  &  Discusion,  think  it  their  duty  to  Submit  to  the 
Town  their  Objections  to  the  Measure  of  forming  a  New  County 
in  the  manner  proposed  by  the  aforementioned  Petitioners  in 
any  other  manner  at  present  — 

your  Committee  upon  An  enquiry  into  the  proportion  of  Buis- 
ness  done  in  the  several  Countys  of  Worcester  Middlesex,  Essex, 
&  Suffolk,  find  that  there  are  more  Actions  entered  in  the  County 
of  Worcester,  than  in  the  County  of  Suffolk,  &  nearly  as  many 
in  either  of  the  Other  Countys  above  mentioned — Whereupon 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  27 

they  conclude  that  the  Oppressive  Attendance  required  of  Parties, 
Witnesses  &  Jurors  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  (if  any  such  there 
is,)  arises  from  some  other  Cause  than  that  of  the  increase  of 
Buisness  or  the  multiplication  of  Law  Suits,  because  the  Courts 
of  Common  Pleas  in  the  other  County s  Above  mentioned,  do  not 
usually  continue  their  Session  for  more  than  the  space  of  one 
Week  — 

If  the  Buisness  of  a  County  Court  is  unreasonabley  protracted 
it  cannot  be  a  Cause  of  dividing  one  County  into  several  but  the 
grevance  ought  to  be  redressed  in  some  other  Way  as  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  Commonwealth  has  provided  your  Committee  find 
that  the  Probate  Court  is  Obliged  by  Law  to  become  Ambulatory, 
and  to  [341.]  set  in  Various  parts  of  the  County  by  which  the 
Inhabitants  receive  great  ease  &  can  have  nothing  further  done 
for  their  Benefit  at  present  unless  Countys  are  created  by  very 
small  &  important  Demensions,  or  the  Court  holden  in  future 
nigher  the  center  of  the  County,  the  mescheivous  tendency  of 
the  one  and  the  Inconvenience  of  the  Other  are  mentioned  in 
this  report  hereafter  — 

The  other  reasons  offered  excepting  that  of  a  deversety  of 
Interest  &  dissimerality  of  manners  Apply 's  alike  to  every  County 
in  the  Commonwealth  it  would  undoubtedly  be  conveniant  for  the 
People  in  each  part  of  the  State  to  have  Courts  of  Probate, 
Registries  of  Deeds  &  every  other  office  of  Goverment  near  their 
own  Dwellings  respectivaly,  but  as  this  is  in  its  nature  impos- 
sible, to  render  the  particular  Circles  of  Juries  prudence  as  small 
as  consests  with  the  Safety  and  Dignity  of  the  State  at  large  is 
all  that  can  be  done  with  propriety  &  Wisdom  — 

The  Particular  Countys  of  this  Commonwealth  originated, 
rather  from  the  accidental  settlement  of  the  several  parts  of  the 
State  than  from  any  system  which  regarded  the  future  care  con- 
venience or  Interest  of  the  People.  And  will  therefore  in  the 
course  of  a  few  years,  when  the  State  shall  be  more  generally 
covered  with  Inhabitants  undergo  such  a  charge  &  receive  fresh 
alterations  as  will  render  their  laves  convenient  &  parnanent. 
And  should,  one  or  more  small  Countys  be  erected  at  this  Period, 
it  is  very  probable,  that  a  Necessaty  of  a  final,  &  equal  regulation 
of  Countys,  may  in  a  short  time  render  the  expence  now  to  be 
borne  useless,  &  Idle  — 

Your  Committee  conceive  [342.]  That  when  a  new  regulation 
of  Countys  shall  take  place,  the  prudence  &  sagacity  of  a  free  & 
intelligent  People,  wisely  regarding  the  dignity  &  energy  of  this 
Goverment  will  never  suffer  these  Countys  to  be  rendered  small  & 
contemptable  for  as  Goverment  is  the  Delagation  of  Power  from 
the  whole  People  to  a  few  the  weight  &  Authority  of  a  few  who 
hold  the  Magistratical  Power,   Deminishes  in  proportion  to  the 


28  City  Document. 

Multiplication  of  Magistrates  &  therefore  there  must  be  in  Nature 
a  Line,  whilst  if  exceeded  on  the  oue  Hand  will  lessen  the  Just 
&  neoessary  Weight  of  G-overment  too  much  to  consist  with  the 
happiness  of  the  People,  while  an  Error  on  the  other  may  render 
Goverment  Dangerous  to  that  Interest  it  is  intended  to  pre- 
serve. — 

Should  a  new  County  be  now  erected  by  the  Limits  proposed  it 
would  introduce  a  precidant  for  making  many  others  within  the 
State  the  consequence  of  which  inevitably  would  be  the  Multi- 
plication of  Officers  &  detracting  from  that  Just  Authority  & 
Dignity  of  Office  without  which  Civil  Society  can  never  be  secure 
&  happy  — 

Should  an  Inclination  for  new  Countys  be  encouraged  &  pre- 
vail, so  many  wise  &  Able  Men  would  be  em  ploy 'd  to  fill  Those 
places  which  are  incompatable  with  a  Seat  in  the  Legislature 
that  the  Publick  Councils  would  not  possess  that  Wisdom  & 
Ability  which  at  this  time  is  necessary  to  the  Welfare  of  the 
People  [343.]  And  your  Committee  take  leave  further  to  Add, 
that  making  new  Countys  would  produce  a  great  Number  of 
Other  Officers,  whose  Buisiness  though  not  constitutionally  in- 
compatable with  a  Seat  in  the  Legislature  yet  renders  them  less 
useful  there  besides  as  the  Legislature  is  the  place  from  whence 
the  power  of  the  Magistrate  in  most  instances  is  Derived,  it 
might  be  a  Question  whether  there  ever  ought  to  be  a  consider- 
able proportion  of  Men  Clothed  with  Executive  Authority  hold- 
ing Seats  in  the  General  Court  — 

It  is  true  that  the  Town  of  Boston  stands  remote  from  the 
local  Centre  of  the  County,  but  is  well  known  that  the  Center  of 
Interest  &  Buisness  is  more  regarded  by  Men  than  the  local 
Center  of  Districts  —  hence  while  the  interior  Countys  which  have 
no  Market  Towns  or  places,  peculiar,  to  Commerce,  fix  —  their 
Seat  of  Justice  near  the  middle  of  their  Circumferance  the  People 
Inhabiting  the  Sea  port  Districts,  in  this  and  every  other 
Country,  Attend  the  Buisness  of  Courts  and  the  Metropolis  of 
Trade,  the  convenience  of  which  is  fully  Evinced  by  the  consent 
&  practice  of  Ages.  To  Burden  the  People  at  this  time  with  a 
New  Tax,  for  Court  Houses,  Goals  &c — while  the  publick  Debt 
rests  so  heavily  upon  their  Shoulders,  would  in  the  Opinion  of 
your  Committee,  be  discovering  a  Trait  for  innovation  quite  un- 
becoming a  Country  Circumstanced  as  this  is  — 

Your  Committee  were  Obliged  to  Observe  against  the  pretented 
reason  said  to  arise  from  a  Division  of  Interest  between  [344.] 
The  Sea  Port,  and  the  Country  Towns,  that  the  happiness  of  the 
People  must  deminish,  in  proportion  as  Trade  &  Agriculture  shall 
decline,  that  they  go  hand  in  hand  &  necessarily  produce  and 
support  each  other,  the  Husbandman  will  cease  his  Industry  when 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  29 

he  lias  no  Market  for  the  Superabundant  produce  of  his  Soil,  and 
the  Merchant  will  quit  his  Enterprize  when  his  Country  pro- 
duces nothing  to  export ;  can  it  be  wise  then  even  supposing 
seperate  unconected  Interest  could  exist  to  take  Measures  to 
make  the  Separation  still  wider  :  or  can  it  be  for  the  Interest  of 
the  Country  at  this  time  to  originate  Ideas  of  a  diversity  of  Inter- 
ests and  to  throw  the  Farmer  into  an  imagination  that  his  Country 
can  be  rendered  safe  and  himself  happy  with  no  incentive  to  raise 
more  from  his  Sale  than  his  personal  necessaity  shall  demand  — 
Commerse  must  be  encouraged  by  Agriculture  &  our  extensive 
Sea  Coasts  be  by  Ships  supported,  by  Commerce  defended  against 
the  Insults  of  every  hostile  Foreigner  wherefore  your  Committee 
Apprehend  that  every  Step  (which  tends  to  Cultivate  an  Opinion 
in  the  People  of  a  Diversity  of  Interest  is  Dangerous  to  the  wel- 
fare of  the  Commonwealth,  nor  is  there  so  great  a  dissimerality 
of  Manners  between  the  Sea  port  &  Country  Towns,  as  is  pre- 
tended, uprightness  of  Heart  &  purity  of  Intention  seem  to  be 
equally  disseminated  among  the  Several  Towns  your  Committee 
beg  leave  to  conclude  their  Report  by  observing  that  in  the  late 
Revolution,  the  People  [345.]  having  thrown  off  their  Ancient 
Principles,  &  not  as  yet  fully  comprehending,  the  Nature  or  feel- 
ing the  force  of  the  New  Ones,  they  have  embraced,  may  be  a 
Multiplication  of  novelties,  be  rendered  restless  uneasy  &  unhappy 
under  one  of  the  best  &  most  equal  Goverments  with  which  Any 
part  of  the  human  Race  were  ever  blessed  — 

Caleb  Davis 
William  Cooper 
S    Higginson 
James  Sullivan 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered  it  was 
moved  &  the  Question  was  accordingly  put  Viz* :  ' '  Whether  it  is 
the  sence  of  the  Town  that  the  County  of  Suffolk  should  be 
divided  agreeable  to  the  Petition  of  several  Towns  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  unanimously  —  Then  the 
Question  was  put  Viz* :  —  Whether  the  Town  will  except  of  this 
Report  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

Moved,  — That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  Reasons 
to  be  laid  before  the  General  Court  why  the  Prayer  of  the  Peti- 
tioning Towns  should  not  be  granted  — 

Voted,  that 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Ezek1 :  Price  —  Esqr. 

Stephen  Higginson  Esq1'. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  &  that  the  Report  of 
the  Committee  of  Conference  be  handed  into  said  Committee  who 
are  desired  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 


30  City  Document. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Town  Treasurers 
Accounts  again  read  and  is  as  follows  Viz* : 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer  &  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  &  to  examine  [346.] 
The  Drafts  of  the  Selectmen,  Report  as  follows  Viz*. 

That  the  Treasurers  Accounts  are  regularly  entered  in  the 
Books  &  every  charge  properly  vouched  the  Accounts,  of  the 
Overseers,  are  likewise  duly  enter'd  &  regularly  vouched  — 

By  the  Treasurers  Accounts  it  Appears  he  has  credited  the 
Town  for  Taxes  committed  to  the  Collectors  -  £9544  ,,16   .  5 
Warrants  on  the  State  Treasurer  for  the  Sup-  ~\ 
port  of  their  Poor  &  Expencies  at  Rainsfords  >    1177,,  12, ,8 
Island                                                                          ) 
Rents  £453  ,,  12  ,,  8  for  Fanuiel  Hall  Mar- 
ket £324  ,,  12  ,,  4£ 778  ,,    5  .  0£ 

For  the  Ballanee  of  last  Years  Acco* :  -     -     -  2436  ,,  19  ,,  9| 

For  Money  borrowed  for  the  Almshouse  &c  -  84  , ,  1 7  , ,  7 

£14.022  ,,    8  ,,  of 
from  which  is  to  be  deducted  the 
following  Charges  — 

Paid  the  Selectmens  Drafts 6436  ,,     6  ,,  7 

Overseers  —  d°. 2445  ,,    8  ,,  7f 

Abatement  on  the  13th  &  14th  Taxes  —  1737  ,,  10  ,,  7f 

Loss  on  £6721  ,,  16  /  New  Emission  Money  sold  £1330  ,,  4  ,,  4  : 

Interest  on  Notes    -     -     -     - 1057  ,,  7  ,,  0£ 

2  Men  for  the  Army  &  Hay  for  the  Bull  -     -     -         95  ,,  9  ,,  6 

13.102  „  7  ,,  6 


£920    —    llf 


It  likewise  Appears  by  the  Treasurer's  Books 
the  Town  is  indebted  the  following  Sums  Viz*. 
Notes  Given  before  the  War  Exclusive  of  Inters* 
Sundry  Ballances  due  before  the  War     -     d°. 
Notes  given  since  &  consolidated       -     -     d°. 
Sundry  Ballances     -     -     d°.    -     -     -     -     d°. 
Sundry  Notes  for  Paper  Money  consolidated 
the  amount  uncertain  suppose  may  be 
due  on  the  Selectmen  &  Overseers  drafts 
To  John  Erving  Esqr.  Balle,  of  Interest  — 

Total  14.537  ,,  17  ,,  7 
[347.]     To  discharge  the  aforegoing  Sums  there  is  due  from 
the  Collectors  &  Others  Viz*.  — 


■s*.  £2177  „ 

13  „  3 

1087  ,, 

6„  2 

8440  ,, 

6  ,,  3 

146,, 

2  „4 

i  617 

1975  ,, 

8„3 

94  „ 

1  ,,  4 

Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  31 

from  F.  Shaw  £334  — J.  Thompson  £1423.         Sumner  £1240  — 
Fallass      -     -     391 — Williams—         497  Parker  81  — 

Baylay      -     -     909— Thomas   —       1264  -     -     -     6140  — 

Abatements  on  one  year  &  premium  on  three  Taxes  2640  — 


£3500  — 


from  Ruddock,  Savage,  Gray  &  Cud  worth  £959  — 

of  which  the  greatest  part  will  be  lost  — 

Due  from  the  State  Treasurer  charg'd  to  P.  Farmer 

£1047  ,,  17  ,,  3  — 
from  Tewksbury£70  ,,  5  ,,  4.  E.  May  £51  .  3  -  121  ,,     5  ,,  7 

from  Sundry  Others  £1 74  of  which  may  be  recd.  £1 1 0  -  -  1 10 

£38,200  in  Bills  of  the  Old  Emission    j  rec^  75   .  -If 
10,575  in  Bills  of  the  New  Emission  j  £    6096  ,,1.4 

By  the  Selectmens  Drafts  it  appears  that  the  School 

Masters  Pay,  is  £1208  the  Watchmen  £701  .  2  -£1909  ,,     2 
The  Town  Clerk  for  1780.  81  &  82       -     -     -     -      995  ,,     8   .   7 
Assessors  for  l£  year  £597  ,,  13  ,,  5  Treasurer 

1£  year  £300- 897  ,,  13   .   5 

Mathew  Nazro  for  Attendance  on  Selectmen,  ") 

Assessors,  Commee :  of  Correspond  &  Clark  >•       119  ,,     8  — 

of  ye  Market  ) 

£3921   .   12  — 

The  Committee  in  part  for  filling  up  the  Dock —  702  ,,  17  ,,  4 

Repairs  of  the  Schools  &  Dwelling  Houses  —  620 

Lumber,  Carpenter,  Masons  &  Smiths  Accots :  —     215 

Glaziers  Accounts  for  Schools  &  Fanuiel  Hall —      130 

Pavers  Acco*.  for  Gravel  &  Paving      -     -     -     -       225 

Repairs  for  Deer  Island  &  Fanuiel  Hall    -     -     -         90 

Printing  Letters  &c  for  the  Commee :  &  Notifications  105 

Repairing  Engine  &  Engine  House 71 

Expencies   Visiting   the    Schools,    Deer,   Island 

Books,  Paper,  Ink,  necessary  for  the  Hospitals, 

allowed  to  J.  Warren  &  Others  &  Sundry  )  355  ,,  17  ,,  3 

petty  Charges     - j 


£6436  ,,     6  ,,  7 

[348.]     By  the  Accounts  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  it  Ap- 
pears there  has  been  paid  for  Provisions  and  Necessaries 
for  about  150  Persons  in  the  House     -     -     -    £1471  ,,  15   .   7. 

for  Cloathing  &  Docters  for  d°.      -     -     -     -         147   .     2 

pd.  Stephen  Hall  &  Others  for  Wood  -     -     -        417  ,,     8 

pd.   for  Assistance  to  the  Poor  in  the  several 

Wards 130  .     4  .  3. 

pd.    for   boarding   sundry   Persons   out   of    the 

House 110   .     8   .   6  — 

pd.  Carpenters  &  Masons  for  Repairs  &  La-  \        166   .     9   .11 

bour  for  digging  a  Vault  &c  -     -     -     -    j 

£2445  ,,8.7 


32  City  Document. 

In  this  Account  is  Included  the  Poor  belonging  to  the  State 
which  is  reparied  by  a  Warrant  on  the  State  Treasureys  and  car- 
ried to  the  Credit  of  the  Town  in  the  Town  Treasurers  Books  — 
In  the  Treasurers  Books,  the  Account  of  Powder  is  Debited  £312 
&  by  the  Powder  house  Keepers  Accounts  there  remains  only  Six 
&  an  half  Barrls :  &  Eight  Boxes  of  Musqueit  Cartridges  —  By  the 
State  Treasurers  Certificate  herewith  presented  it  appears  there 
remained  unpaid  in  the  10th  of  March  of  the  Specie  Tax  at  l£ 
from  Francis  Shaw  Esq1.  £385  ,,7.7  On  the  Continental  Tax 
N°.  2  £6896  .  18/  from  Wm.  Fallass  £1532  .0.5 
Charles  Williams  £1639  .  17  .  3  Daniel  Parker  £2301  .  0  8| 
Thomas  Bayley  £1429  .  19  .  7£  — 

These  Taxes  your  Committee  are  of  Opinion  ought  to  be  paid 
into  the  Treasurey  immediatley  and  that  Measures  should  be 
taken  to  Oblidge  the  Collectors  to  do  it  —  It  does  not  Appear 
that  Mr.  Simpkins  Col0.  Hatch  or  the  Committee  for  purchasing- 
Grain  have  yet  Accounted  for  the  Money  they  have  receiv'd  out 
of  the  Treasurey,  these  Accounts  should  be  immediately  closed, 
that  the  Town  may  be  acquainted  with  the  true  State  of  their 
Finances  —  The  Fire  [349.]  Arms  belonging  to  the  Town  & 
carried  to  Cambridge  before  the  19th.  April  1775  &  there  Deliv- 
ered out  for  the  Use  of  the  Army  have  not  been  accounted  for  by 
the  State,  nor  does  it  appear  the  Arms  recd :  of  the  Board  of  War 
&  delivered  to  the  Officers  of  Militia  have  been  returned  or  ac- 
counted for  &  your  Committee  propose  to  the  consideration  of 
the  Town  whether  it  would  not  be  for  their  Interest  that  the 
Town  Tax  should  be  Delivered  to  Other  Persons  to  Collect,  than 
those  Appointed  to  Collect  the  State  Tax  — 

Edward  Payne  ^  Order 
Boston  April  3d.  1784  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  prepare  an  Estimate  of  the  Money 
Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  service  of  the  Town  the  year  ensu- 
ing, stating  the  particular  Uses  to  which  the  same  is  to  be  appro- 
priated —  Report  as  follows  —  Viz*.  — 
1st.  that  the  whole  Debt  of  the  Town-  for  Money )  „.„  p.nn 

borrowed  &c  Amount  to  About )         ' 

Interest  due  on  those  Debts     -- 2,770  — 

unpaid  of  the  Selectmen  &  Overseers  raiscl.  1783 2.070 


Total  Amount  of  Debts  &  Interest  £17.340  — 

2d.  —  That   the   Ordinary  Expencies   for  the  year  ensuing   for 
Salarys  to  the    Schoolmasters,  Rent    for   their   Houses    and    of 

Wood £1600  — 

pay  to  the  Watchmen  £700  fixing  Lamps  £600  1300  — 

two  years  Salary  to  the  Town  Clark  and  1  year  ye.Treasurr. 450  — 
Pay  of  the  Assessors  &  Clark  of  Fanuiel  Market  —  450  — 

Paying,  Repairs,  Tradesmens  Bills,  Lumber  for  Re-  \       ..  „„„ 
pairs  &  all  other  Incidential  Charges      -     -     -     -      J 
Overseers  Drafts  for  Supply  of  the  Poor     -     -     -     -         2400 


To  discharge  the  aforegoing  Sums     £25.340 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784. 


33 


[350.]     1*.  There  Appears  clue  from  the  late  Collectors 

£3500  — 

from  the  State  Treasurer  &  Others       -     -       1200  — 

4.700  — 


2d.  the  Bills  of  the  New  Emission  £10575 
from  Rents  of  Houses,  .Stores,  Hay, 
Engine 

Markett  &  Stands 


£3525  — 
675 


3d.  To  be  raised  by  a  Tax  on  the  Inhabitants 


4,200 
8,000 


£16.900  — 
N.  B.  The  Granary  has  been  improved  by  the  State  6.  or  7 
years  &  no  rent  Demanded  — 

The  Above  Sums  Amountg.  to  £16.900  —  your  Committee  have 

Appropriated  as  follows  — 

1st.  To  pay  the  Balloe :    clue  on  the  drafts  drawn 

in  1783 -     -     £2070  — 

the  Overseers  Draft  to  Farmer  -     -     -     -        1000  — 
towards  the  principal  &  Interest 

of  the  Debts 1630  — 

£4700  — 


2d.  To  pay  the  Schoolmasters  &  Watchmen  £2300 

the  Overseers  draft  for  Supply  of  ye.  Poor —  1400 
the  remainder  of  the  Bills  are  all  sold  to  pay 

Inters*.  500 


£4200  — 


To  pay  the  Selectmens  drafts  for  the  pay  of  ^| 

the    Assessors,    Treasurer,    Town    Clerk  [„„  -ftft 
fixing  Lamps,  Tradsmans   Bills    and    all  j 
the  incidentell  Charges  —  J 

the  remainder  of  the  Tax  to  be  Apply'd  to " 
make  good  any  difficiencys  on  the  2d.  & 
3d.  Articles  &  the  residue  to  pay  the  prin-  )>    4.500 
cipal    &   Interest   of   the   Debts    of    the 
Town 


8.000 


£16.900 


By  this  Arangement  Provision  is  made  — 
1st.  to  discharge  what  remains  due  on 
yet 


the  drafts  of   the   last 


2d.  to  pay  all  the  Expence  of  the  Year  ensuing 

[351.]     3d.  To  pay  the  whole  of  the  Interest  on  the  Debts 
due  from  the  Town  &c  — 

4th.  To  pay  off  upwards  of  £4000,  of  the  principal  provided  all 
the  New  Emission  Bills  can  be  sold  at  three  for  one 


34  City  Document. 

The  Committee  in  order  to  carry  the  foregoing  Appropriation 
into  Effect  purpose  the  following  Votes  to  be  passed  — 

Voted,  that  the  Moneys  due  from  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for 
the  last  year  &  from  the  State  Treasurer  &  Others  be  Appropri- 
ated as  follows 

To  discharge  the  Sums  due  on   the    Selectmen    &  Overseers 

drafts  in  1783 £2070  — 

to  pay  the  Overseers  drafts  to  P.  Farmer  in  1784  -     -  1000  — 

Towards  Paying  the  Principal  &  Interest 

of  the  Debts 1630  — 


£4.700  — 
And  that  the  Treasurer  be  directed  not  to  receive  from  said  Col- 
lectors any  Drafts  or  Orders  Drawn  since  March  last  in  payment 
of  the  Taxes  committed  to  them  in  1783.  except  those  drawn  for 
Abatement  of  those  Taxes ;  and  their  Premium  for  collecting 
them  — 

Voted,  that  the  Money  Arising  from  the  Sail  of  the  Bills  of  the 
New  Emission  &  from  the  Rents  of  the  Buildings  belonging  to 
the  Town  be  Appropriated  — 

1st.  to  pay  the  Selectmens  drafts  of  the  "Watchmen  £700  — 

2d.  to  pay  the  Salarys  of  the  Schoolmasters  ) 

their  Rent  &  Wood —  j          1600  — 

[353.]     3d.  To  Pay  the  Overseers  drafts  for  the 

Support  of  the  Poor £1400 

4th.  Towards  paying  the  Principal  &  Interest 

of  the  Towns  Debts 500 


£4200  — 


Voted,  —  That  the  Treasurer  be  directed  to  furnish  the  Select- 
men every  Month  with,  an  Account  of  the  Moneys  he  has  re- 
ceived &  paid  on  Acco*.  of  the  Tax  due  from  the  Collectors  for 
the  Year  1783  —  for  the  New  Emission  Bills  sold  &  for  Rents  — 
and  to  be  careful  that  no  part  thereof  be  Apply'd  to  any  other 
purposes  than  those  to  which  they  are  Appropriated  —  and  that 
he  use  his  endeavour  to  Obtain  payment  from  said  Collectors,  as 
soon  as  possible  to  enable  him  to  pay  the  Drafts  that  are  or  may 
be  drawn  on  Acco*.  thereof  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  £8000  —  be  raised  by  a  Tax  to  be 
Assessed  on  the  Pole  &  the  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  to  pay  the 
Charges  of  the  Year  ensuing  &  the  Debts  due  from  the  Town  & 
whereas  the  Premiums  for  Collecting  &  the  Abatements  made  on 
the  Town,  County  &  State  Taxes  (which  on  the  late  Taxes 
amounted  to  upwards  of  20  ^  C4.  on  the  Town  Tax,  are  all  paid 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  35 

out  of  the  Town  Tax  &  Often  renders  that  insufficient  to  Answer 
the  purposes  intended  when  the  same  was  Granted  therefore 

[353.]  Voted,  that  the  further  Sum  of  £2500  be  Added  to 
the  Tax  mentioned  in  the  preceeding  Vote,  to  make  Good  such 
difficiencys  as  may  arise  from  abatements  of  the  Premiums  &  for 
Collecting  the  Overplus  if  any  to  be  Appropriated  towards  paying 
the  Debts  due  from  the  Town 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  £2500  be  Appropriated  out  of  said  Tax 
to  pay  the  Selectmens  drafts,  for  the  payment  of  the  Treasurer, 
Town  Clerk  &  Assessors  for  fixing  Lamps,  Paving,  Repairs  & 
all  other  Incidental  Charges  — 

Voted,  that  the  remaining  £4500  of  said  Tax  be  appropriated 
to  pay  the  Debts  due  from  the  Town  &  to  make  good  any  deffi- 
ciencys  that  may  Arise  on  Acco*.  of  the  Money  due  from  the 
Collectors  or  the  New  Emissiond  Bills  not  being  Sold  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  in  all  their  Drafts  on  the 
Treasurer  to  particularise  the  Appropriation  out  of  which  each 
sums  is  to  be  paid  &  that  all  their  Drafts  for  Services  done  since 
March  except  the  pay  of  the  Watchmen  &  Schoolmasters  are  to 
be  paid  out  of  the  Taxes  now  Voted  —  And  whereas  it  Appears 
by  the  late  Treasurers  Accots :  that  on  the  10th.  of  March  theire 
remained  unpaid  of  the  Continental  Tax  —  N°.  2  £6896  —  18 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  desired  to  inform  Treasurer  Ivers 
that  the  Town  is  Anxious  to  have  these  Arreages  Paid  &  to  Ac- 
quaint him  to  Oblidge  those  Collectors  that  [354.]  are  Deficient 
immedatley  to  pay  what  remains  due  from  each  of  them  —  The 
Town  will  remaine  upwards  of  £8000  —  in  Debet  in  Case  all  the 
Sums  enumerated  in  this  Report  are  received  &  paid  agreeable  to 
the  Appropriations 

In  Behalf  of  Commee. 

Edwd :  Payne 

The  foregoing  Report  having  been  considered  Paragraph  by 
Paragraph  the  Question  was  put  Viz*. — Whether  the  same  shall 
be  Accepted  passed  in  the  Aff  airmitive 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P  M  — 

3  OClock  P.  M.  Met  According  to  Adjournment 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  Inhabitants  Proprieters  of  the 
School  at  the  South  End  of  the  Town  —  Read  —  whereupon 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  take  this 
Petition  into  consideration  and  Report  at  the  Adjournment  what 
is  proper  to  be  clone  thereon  — 


36  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  Sam1.  A.  Otis  Esqr. 
Christopr.  Gore  Esqr. 
Mr.  Sam1.  Wbitwell 
be  a  Committee  for  said  Purpose 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  request  of  Mr.  Jar- 
vis  &  Others  for  a  Compensation  for  rilling  up  the  Dock  —  again 
read  —  whereupon  — 

[355.]  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  he  desired  to  pursue  the 
Vote  passed  Sepr.  3.  1783.  with  respect  to  settling  this  Matter 
by  Arbitration  — 

Mr.  John  Marys  Petition  for  establishing  a  french  School  — 
read  —  whereupon  Voted,  that  he  have  leave  to  withdraw  his 
Petition  — 

The  Article  relative  to  a  New  Choice  of  Assessors  —  read  — 
whereupon  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  consideration  thereof 
subside  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  foregoing  Vote  be  reconsidered  — 

Mr.  McNeils  Petition  read  —  whereupon  Voted  that  he  have 
leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition 

The  Inhabitants  having  withdrawn  as  directed  to  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  seven  Assessors  &  the  same  having  been  brought  in  & 
sorted  it  appear'd  that  — 

Messrs :  William  Lowder 

Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 

Moses  May 

John  Pulling 

Sam1.  Ruggles 

William  Fleet 

J.  P.  Sigourney 
Report  of  Committee  relative  to  Mr.  Aron  Mays  Petition  —  read 
&  as  it  stand  altered  was  Accepted  by  the  Town  —  Viz*. 

[356.]  The  Committee  apointed  by  the  Town  to  consider  of 
Mr.  Mays  Petition,  to  enquire  into  the  emoluments  of  the  Weight 
of  Hay  &  to  report  their  Opinion  thereon,  have  attended  that 
Service,  they  have  examined  Mr.  Mays  Books  from  the  Year 
1773  to  1783  —  &  find  that  he  has  recd :  the  following  Sums  Viz*. 

In  the  Year      -     -     -     1773     -     -     -£114,,     8  ,,  5 

1774     -     -     -      142  ,,     0  ,,  4 

4  Months    ---     -     1775  )  qi  9  , 

8  Months    ---     -     1776  \       "     "        yi  "     *  " 

1777     ...       77  ,,  19  ,,  6 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784. 


37 


Boston  May  14th.  1784 


1778  -  - 

■  -   118  ,,  3  ,,  2 

1779  -  - 

•  -   102  „  7  ,,  3 

1780  -  ■ 

■  -   136  ,,  18  ,,  11 

1781  -  - 

■  -   197  ,,  12  ,,  10 

1782  -  - 

■  -   258  ,,  6  ,,  10 

1783  - 

-   246  ,,  18  ,,  5 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  credit  Mr. 
Aaron  May  ye.  Sum  of  £63  ,,  2  ,,  6,  being  a  ballance  Due  from 
him  to  the  Town,  19th.  Ap1 :  1775,  which  he  now  stands  charged 
for 

Voted,  that  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  be  directed  that  as 
soon  as  the  New  Hay  Market  is  finished  they  Publish  an  Adver- 
tizement  that  the  Scales  for  weighing  of  Hay  is  to  be  leased  for 
the  term  of  One  Year  &  [357.]  that  it  will  be  leased  to  the 
Person  who  will  give  the  highest  rent  for  the  same  &  they  shall 
apprehend  him  to  be  one  who  is  capable  of  the  Buisness  &  will 
faithfully  discharge  the  duty  of  that  Office  — 

Voted,  that  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  be  notifyed  in 
the  Thursdays  News  Papers 

Adjourned,  to  Friday  next  9  —  OClock  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Friday  May  21st. — 9  OClock  Forenoon  —  met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

The  Moderator  informed  the  Town  that  the  Committee  relative 
to  a  Corporation  were  not  ready  to  report  at  this  Adjournment  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  when  this  Town  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it 
be  to  Friday  ye.  28  Ins*:  9  oClock  Forenoon  —  And  the  Meeting 
was  Adjourned  accordingly  — 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualifyed  &  legally  warned  in  publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Friday  the  21st  of 
May  A  D  1784 

Warrant  for  calling-  the  Meeting;  —  read 


Col0  :  Dawes 
chosen  Moderator  —  by  a  hand  Vote 

[358.]     Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  — 


38  City  Document. 

"  Whether  the  Town  will  reconsider  their  late  Vote  relating  to 
the  Pay  of  the  Assessors  &  Determine  their  Allowance  the  ensu- 
ing year  "  —  was  read  — 

Whereupon  it  was  Moved  —to  reconsider  said  Vote,  the  Ques- 
tion being  put  &  it  passed  in  the  Affermative  — 

Voted,  that  the  allowance  to  the  Assessors  to  be  nine  shillings 
^  Day  for  the  Days  they  may  set  in  doing  the  Buisness  of  their 
Office  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 

Friday  May  282?  9  OClock  forenoon  Met  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment— 

The  Committee  to  prepare  a  Petition  to  the  General  Court 
against  dividing  the  County  report  the  following  Draught  Viz*. 

Commonwealth  of 

Massachusetts  — 

To  the  Honble :  the  Senate  and  the  Honble : 
the  House  of  Representatives  of  sd.  Com- 
monwealth in  General  Court  Assembled  at 
Boston  May  1784  — 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston  beg  leave  most  respect- 
fully to  Submit  to  the  following  Objection  the  Petitions  of  the 
[359.]  Towns  of  Dedham,  Medfield,  Wrentham  Needham, 
Medway,  Bellingham,  Foxbourough,  Sherburne,  Hopkington,  Hol- 
liston  &  Natick,  Praying  for  a  Division  of  the  present  County  of 
Suffolk  &  the  requesting  the  creating  a  New  one,  to  the  consider- 
ation of  this  Honble :  Court  &  pray  the  proposed  Dismembermant 
of  this  County  may  not  be  Adopted  — 

The  reasons  assigned  in  the  Petition  are  1st.  That  the  Business 
of  the  Courts  of  Justice  in  the  County  of  Suffolk  had  be  come  so 
extensive  that  Parties,  Witnesses  &  Jurors  are  commonly  obliged 
to  Attend  at  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  space  of  three 
Weeks  together  &  sometimes  longer  &  that  the  Travel  from  the 
extreme  parts  of  the  County  to  the  shire  Town  is  large  &  expen- 
sive— 

2d.  That  the  Registry  of  Deeds  being  remote  from  the  Center 
of  the  County  renders  the  Securing  new  Purchases  very  incon- 
venient 

3d.  That  the  Probate  Court  being  at  a  Distance  from  the 
Petitioning  Towns,  renders  the  settlement  of  Estates  under  Ad- 
ministration expensive  — 

In  Answer  to  which  suggestions  your  Memorialists  beg  leave 
to  Observe,  That  upon  an  enquirey  into  the  proportion  of  Business 
done  in  the  several  Counties  of  Worchester,  Middlesex,  Essex  & 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  39 

Suffolk,  it  will  be  found  that  there  are  one  third  more  Actions 
entered  annually  in  the  County  of  [360.]  Worcester  than  in 
the  County  of  Suffolk,  &  nearly  as  many  in  either  of  the  Other 
Counties  above  mentioned.  Wherefore  your  Memorialists  con- 
clude, that  the  Oppressive  Attendance  required  of  Parties,  Wit- 
nesses &  Jurors  in  the  County  of  Suffolk,  if  any  such  therein) 
arises  from  some  Other  Cause  than  that  of  the  Increase  of  Buis- 
ness,  or  the  multiplication  of  Law  suits,  because  the  Court  of 
Common  Pleas  in  the  other  Counties  above  mentioned,  do  not 
usually  continue  their  session  for  more  than  the  space  of  one 
Week  —  If  the  Business  of  any  County  Court  is  unreasonably 
protracted  it  cannot  be  a  Cause  of  dividing  one  County  into  sev- 
erall  but  the  Greviance  ought  to  be  redressed  in  such  Other  way 
as  the  Constitution  has  provided  — 

That  by  Law  the  Probate  Courts  is  now  made  ambulatory  & 
accordingly  sets  in  different  parts  of  the  County  by  which  the 
Inhabitants  receive  great  ease  or  can  have  nothing  further  done 
for  their  benefit  at  present  unless  Counties  should  be  reduced  to 
very  small  &  unimportant  Dimensions  or  the  Court  holden  in 
future  nearer  the  Center  of  the  County  the  mischeivous  tendency 
of  the  One  &  the  inconveniancy  of  the  Other  shall  be  presently 
pointed  out  — 

[361.]  The  other  reason  offered  Applies  alike  to  every 
County  in  the  Commonwealth,  it  would  undoubtedly  be  con- 
venient for  the  People  in  each  part  of  the  State  to  have  Courts 
of  Probate  Register  of  Deeds  &  every  other  Office  of  Govern- 
ment nearer  their  own  Dwellings  respectively  but  as  this  is  in  its 
nature  impossable  to  render  the  particular  Circles  of  Jurispru- 
dence as  small  as  consists  with  the  Safety  &  Dignity  of  the  State 
at  Large,  is  all  that  can  be  done  with  propriety  &  Wisdom  — 

The  particular  Counties  of  this  Commonwealth  originated 
rather  from  the  Accidental  settlement  of  the  several  parts  of  the 
State,  that  from  any  systym  which  regarded  the  future  ease 
interest  or  convenience  of  the  People  &  will  therefore  in  the 
course  of  a  few  Years  when  the  State  shall  be  more  generally 
covered  with  Inhabitants,  undergo  such  a  Change  &  receive  such 
Alterations  as  will  render  their  lines  convenient  &  parmanent,  & 
should  one  or  more  Counties  be  established  at  this  period,  it  is 
very  probable  that  the  necessity  of  a  final  &  equal  regulation  of 
Counties,  may  in  a  short  time  render  the  expence  now  to  be  borne 
Useless  &  Idle 

Your  Memorialists  conceive  that  when  a  New  regulation  of 
Counties  shall  take  place  the  prudence  &  Sagacity  of  a  free 
[36£J.]  &  intelligent  Peoples  wisely  regarding  the  Dignity  & 
Energy  of  this  Goverment  will,  never  suffer  their  Counties  to  be 
rendered  small  and  contemptable,  for  a  Government  in  the  Delega- 
tion of  Power  from  the  whole  People  to  a  few  who  hold  the  Mag- 
istratical  Power  Deminishes  in  proportion  to  the  Multiplication  of 
Magistrates  &  therefore  there  must  be  in  nature  a  Line  which  if 
exceeded  on  one  hand  will  lessen,  the  part  &  necessary  weight  of 


40  City  Document. 

G-overment  two  much  to  consist  with  the  happiness  of  the  People 
while  an  Error  on  the  other  may  render  Goverment  Dangerious  to 
that  Interest  it  is  intended  to  procure —  Should  a  new  County  be 
established  according  to  the  Lemits  preposed  it  would  introduce 
a  president  for  making  many  others  without  the  State,  the  conse- 
quence—  of  which  inevitably  would  be  Multiplication  of  Officers 
&  detracting  from  that  Just  Authority  &  Diginity  of  Office  with- 
out which  Civil  Society  can  never  be  secure  or  happy  — 

Another  Argument  against  this  Project  is  that  as  so  many  Ad- 
ditional Officers  as  would  be  wanted  must  be  commissioned  by 
the  Govemour  &  Council  it  would  thro'  a  weight  into  the  supreme 
Executive  which  might  Operate  in  creating  an  undue  influance 
Should  an  Inclination  for  new  Countes  be  encouraged  &  prevail, 
so  many  wise  &  [363.]  able  men  would  be  employed  to  fill 
those  places  which  are  incompatable  with  a  Seat  in  the  Legisla- 
ture that  the  Publick  Councils  would  not  possess  that  Wisdom  & 
Ability  which  at  this  time  is  necessary  to  the  Welfare  of  the  Peo- 
ple. And  your  Memorialists  beg  leave  further  to  Add  that  mak- 
ing new  Counties  would  produce  a  great  number  of  Other  Officers 
whose  Business  tho'  not  constitutionally  incompatable  with  a 
Seat  in  the  Legislature,  yet  renders  them  less  needfull  there,  be- 
sides as  the  Legislature  is  the  place  from  whence  the  Power  of 
the  Majestrates  in  most  instances  is  derived  it  might  be  a  Question 
whether  there  ever  ought  to  be  a  considerable  proportion  of  Men 
Cloath  [ed]  with  Executive  Authority  holding  Seats  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court  — 

It  is  true  that  the  Town  of  Boston  stands  remote  from  the 
local  Center  of  the  County  but  it  is  well  known  that  the  Center  of 
Interest  &  Buisness  is  more  regarded  by  Men  than  The  local 
Center  of  Districks.  Hence  while  the  interior  Counties  which 
have  no  Market  Towns  or  places  pecular  to  Commerce  —  fix  the 
Seats  of  Justice  near  the  middle  of  their  Circumference  the 
People  Inhabiting  the  Sea  Port  Districts  in  this  &  every  other 
County  Attend  the  Business  of  Courts  in  the  Metropolis  of  Trade, 
The  conveniance  of  this  is  fully  evinced  by  the  consent  &  practice 
of  Ages  — 

[364.]  To  burden  the  People  at  this  time  with  a  new  Tax 
for  Court  Houses  G-oals  &c — while  the  publick  Debt  rests  so. 
heavily  on  their  Shoulders  would  be  in  the  Opinion  of  your 
Memorialists  discovering  a  taste  for  Inovation  quite  unbecoming 
A  Country  Circumstanced  as  this  is  — 

For  the  beforegoing  &  other  reasons  that  may  be  offered  they 
pray  that  sd.  Petition  may  not  be  sustained  — 

Voted,  that  the  aforegoing  Report  be  taken  into  a  fair  Draught 
&  Signed  by  the  Town  Clerk  in  behalf  of  the  Town  &  then  de- 
livered the  Gentlemen  who  Represent  the  Town  in  the  General 
Court  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  a  Corporation  not  being  Able  to  re- 
port at  this  Meeting  — 


Boston  Town  Recokds,  1784.  41 

It  was  moved  &  Voted  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it 
is  to  be  Friday  next  9  OClock  beforenoon  being  the  4th.  of 
June  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  a  New  School  —  read 
—  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  this  Report  be  refered  to  the 
Adjournment  — 

Mr :  Ballard  the  Clerk  of  Fanuiel  Hall  Market  handed  in  a 
Memorial  which  [365.]  was  read  —  whereupon  —  Moved  & 
Voted  — 

That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  take  the  Memorial  of  Mr. 
Ballard  into  consideration  &  report  at  the  Adjournment 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Thos :  Walley 

Wm.  Tudor  Esqr.  Excused 

Thos :  Daws  Esqr.  D°  :  — 

Col0.  Joshua  Davis 

Cap* :  Henry  Prentice 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  and  that  the  Committee 
report  what  they  may  Judge  to  be  a  reasonable  allowance  for  his 
services  as  Clerk  of  Fanuiel  Hall  Market  — 

The  Petition  of  Daniel  Sigourney  read  —  whereupon  Voted  — 

That  the  same  be  referred  to  the  consideration  of  the  Gentel- 
men  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  to  make  report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment 

Adjourned  to  Friday  next  the  4th.  of  June  9  OClock  forenoon  — 

Friday  June  4th.  9.  OClock  Forenoon  met  according  to  Ad- 
journment— 

Vote,  relative  to  Assessors  setting  for  abatement  of  Taxes  the 
same  as  last  year  Viz* : 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  irnpowered  &  di- 
rected to  set  for  [366.]  such  Abatement  of  Taxes  as  they  shall 
Judge  reasonable  ten  days  following  the  Date  and  Delivery  of  the 
Tax  Bills  (Lords  Days  excepted)  &  no  longer  saving  that  they  be 
allowed  to  set  two  Days  the  last  Week  in  February  for  the 
Abatement  of  the  Taxes  of  such  Persons  as  had  not  an  Opper- 
tunity  of  Applying  in  the  above  limited  time,  by  reason  of  their 
being  not  of  the  Commonwealth  or  any  other  unavoidable  hin- 
drance at  which  time  they  are  also  allowed  &  irnpowered  to  Abate 
the  Taxes  of  such  Persons  as  may  have  died  Insolvent  before  the 
said  time  — 


42  City  Document. 

The  Petition  of  Mrs :  Katharine  Gray  Read  —  whereupon  Voted, 
that 

Mr.  Nath1.  Balch 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell  Printer 

Honble  :  Stephen  Higgenson 
be  a  Committee  to  take  the  same  into  consideration  &  report  as 
soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  a  Corporation  Reported  two  Plans 
of  a  Corporation  both  of  which  were  read  — 

It  was  Moved,  that  the  sence  of  the  Town  be  taken  with  respect 
to  the  expedience  of  making  any  Alterations  in  the  present  form 
of  the  G-overment  of  the  Town  — 

It  being  determined  that  the  consideration  of  this  Motion  be 
refer'd  to  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  it  was  then,  moved  & 
Voted, 

That  the  Plans  now  laid  befor  the  Town  [367.]  be  printed 
&  a  Sufficient  number  ordered  by  the  Selectmen  to  be  sent  to  the 
House  of  every  Inhabitant  by  the  Constable  with  a  Minuet  of  the 
Adjournment  at  the  bottom  of  said  Plans  — 

Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it  shall  be  to  next 
Thursday  the  17th  of  June  Current  3  OClock  Afternoon  then  to 
meet  in  this  Place  — 

And  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned  — 

3  'OClock  in  the  Afternoon  —  Met  according  to  Adjournment — 

The  Motion  made  at  the  last  Meeting  —  Viz1.  —  That  the  sense 
of  the  Town  be  taken  with  respect  to  the  expediency  of  making 
any  Alterations  in  the  present  form  of  the  Goverment  of  the 
Town  —  was  again  read,  but  the  impatiance  of  the  Inhabitants 
for  the  Question  being  immediatley  put  prevented  any  Debate 
thereon  — 

After  some  warm  altercations  it  was  moved  and  seconded,, 
"that  the  sense  of  the  Town  be  now  taken,  whether  it  is  ex- 
pedient that  any  alteration  should  be  made  in  the  present  form 
of  the  Goverment  of  the  Town  —  and  the  Question  being  ac- 
cordingly put  Passed  in  the  Negative  by  a  great  Majority 

It  was  then  Moved  and  contesated  for  that  the  Meeting  should 
be  immediately  dissolved  —  and  the  Meeting  was  accordingly 
dissolved 

[368.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneiul  Hall  on  Monday  the 
5th:  Day  of  July  Anno  Domini  1784.  10  O'Clock  in  the  Fore- 
noon — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  43 

"Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  was  read 

The  Town  having  Voted  to  choose  a  Moderator  by  a  Hand 
Vote  — 

Thomas  Daws  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  the  Town  the  4th  of  July  last  to 
apply  to  a  proper  Gentelman  to  deliver  an  Oration  of  the  4th  of 
July  Instant  (in  such  place  as  the  Town  shall  determine  to  be  a 
Most  convenient  for  the  purpose)  it  being  a  Day  ever  memorable 
in  the  Annals  of  this  Country  for  the  Decleration  of  our  Inde- 
pendance — 

Reported 

That  having  met  several  times  for  the  purpose  mentioned  in 
the  Town  Vote,  that  they  have  unanimously  made  choice  of  Ben- 
jamin Hitchburn  Esq1",  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  fourth  of  July 
Instant,  who  had  accordingly  Accepted  of  that  service  — 

The  foregoing  Vote  having  been  read,  the  same  was  accepted 
by  the  Town  — 

[369.]  The  Town  having  took  into  consideration  when  would 
be  the  best  time  to  have  the  Oration  pronounced  ;  as  also  what 
place  would  be  most  suitable  for  the  purpose  —  It  was 

Voted,  that  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old  South  Meeting 
House,  consent  having  been  obtained  therefor,  the  Hall  not 
being  capacious  enough  to  receive  the  Inhabitants  that  attend 
upon  the  Occasion  —  also 

Voted,  that  Mr :  John  Lowel 

Ebenr.  Hancock  Esqr. 

John  Gardner  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  wait  upon  Benjamin  Hitchburne  Esqr.  and 
Acquaint  him  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Town,  that  the  Oration 
may  be  delivered  at  the  Old  South  Church  at  12.  O.  Clock  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  12.  O 'Clock  then  to  meet 
at  the  Old  South  Church  — 

12.  O'Clock,  Town  met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

AN    ORATION 

To  commemorate  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  was  delivered  by  Benjamin  Hitchburne  Esqr :  at  the 
Old  South  Church  to  a  large  &  Crowded  Assembly 

[370.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that 

The  Selectmen 


44  City  Document. 

be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Benjamin 
Hitchburn  Esqr.  and  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for 
the  Learned  &  elagant  Oration  this  Day  delivered  by  him  at  the 
Request  of  the  Town  upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independance 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  which  according  to  the  Insti- 
tution of  the  Town  he  considered  the  felings  manners  and  prin- 
caples  which  lead  to  that  great  National  Event  —  and  to  request 
of  him  a  Copy  thereof  for  the  Press  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  G-entelmen  the  Selectmen  —  be 
and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  Apply  to  some  one 
Learned  and  able  G-entelman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th.  of 
July  1785,  that  Day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independance 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  wherein  the  Orator  is  to  con- 
sider the  feelings  Manners,  and  principles  which  lead  to  this  great 
National  Event ;  as  well  as  the  important  and  happy  effects 
whether  general  or  domistick  which  have  already  and  will  forever 
continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


[371.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
publick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneiul  Hall  on  Tuesday 
the  17th  Day  of  August  A  :  D.  1784  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

It  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  by  a  Hand 
Vote  — 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.  was  chosen  but  could  not  attend  — 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  also  chosen  but  on  his  Motion  was  excused 
by  the  Town 

Joseph  Greanleaff  Esq1. 
Was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  and  took  the  Chair  accord- 
ingly — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  — 

3  O'Clock  Afternoon  Town  met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Choosing  Cullers  of 
Staves  was  read,  and  on  a  Motion  Voted  to  defer  the  Choice  of 
said  Officers  — 

[373.]     Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  twelve  pence  on  the  Pound 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  45 

be  and  hereby  is  allowed  to  such  Persons  as  are  or  may  be 
chosen  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing  of  all  such  Sums 
as  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  into  the  several  Treasuries  of  the 
Sum  committed  to  them  to  Collect ;  within  eight  Months  from  the 
receit  of  the  Tax  Books ;  Six  pence  on  the  pound  on  all  such 
other  Sums  as  they  shall  have  paid  in  within  twelve  Months,  and 
four  pence  upon  all  Afterwards  —  Also  that  such  Collectors  shall 
give  Bond  with  sufficient  Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Select- 
men for  the  faithfull  discharge  of  their  duty  in  said  Office,  and 
complying  with  this  Vote  —  And  that  they  will  not  receive  any 
Premium  or  gratuity  for  discounting  any  Order,  Note  or  Receipt 
from  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  or  the  Treasurer  of  the  Town  — 

The  Selectmen  having  communicated  to  the  Town  a  Letter  of 
William  Foster  Esq1,  to  the  Selectmen  presenting  the  Town  with 
thirty  eight  Glob  Lamps  to  light  the  Streets  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  except  the  same,  and  that  they  pre- 
sent the  Thanks  of  the  Town  to  Mr.  Foster  for  his  generous 
Donation  — 

[3*73.]  Mr.  Hermon  Brimmer  appointed  one  of  the  Commit- 
tee to  consider  what  may  be  due  to  the  late  Treasurer  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Joseph  Barrel  who  declines  serving 

On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  to  consider  the  Memorial  of 
Cap*.  John  Ballard  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  — 

Voted,  that  Cap*.  John  Ballard  Clerk  of  Fanuiel  Hall  Market 
be  and  hereby  is  impowered  to  receive  the  whole  of  the  Rents  for 
the  Stalls  both  within  and  without  the  Market  Building,  and  to 
pay  the  same  into  the  Treasury  once  in  every  three  Months 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  consider  whether  there 
shall  be  a  Revision  of  the  By  Laws,  and  such  Additions  or  alter- 
ations made  as  may  be  Judged  proper  by  the  Town  —  where- 
upon 

Voted,  that  the  Honble.  Robert  T.  Payne 

John  Lowell  Esqr. 

James  Sullivan  Esqr. 

Benjamin  Hitchbourn  Esqr. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  Revise  the  By  Laws  and  to  Report  whether 
any  further  Laws  can  be  made  to  regulate  the  Market  — 

[374.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz* :  "To  consider 
what  further  measures  are  necessary  to  regulate  Faneuil  Market 
-—was  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Col0  :  Daws 

Mr.  Thomas  Walley 
Cap*.  John  Ballard 


46  City  Document. 

be  a  Committee  to  Erect  such  Stalls  on  the  Towns  Land  near 
Faneuil  Hall  as  they  may  Judge  useful  —  and  to  persue  such 
Measures  in  performing  the  Business  as  shall  appear  to  them  the 
least  expensive  to  the  Town  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Vote  passed  at  last  March  Meet- 
ing assigning  the  Range  on  the  North  side  of  the  Market  House 
for  the  use  of  Lemmon  Sellers  be  Reconsidered  — 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  next  being  the  24th  Inst :  —  3.  O'Clock. 
P :  M  : 

Tuesday  August  24th.  3.  O'Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  Ad- 
journment — 

On  a  motion,  Voted,  that 

Cap* :  Isaac  Phillips 
be   Appointed    one  of   the   Committee    on    the   late  Treasurer's 
Accounts,  in  the  room  of  Mr.   Herman  Brimmer  who  declines 
serving  — 

The  Articles  in  the  Warrant  for  the  choice  of  Cullers  of  Staves 

—  read  whereupon  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Cul- 
lers of  Staves  &  Hoops  be  Suspended  — 

[375.]     The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Grays  Petition 

—  read  whereupon  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Cul- 
lers of  Staves  &  Hoops  be  suspended 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Grays  Petition  read  & 
considered  —  and  the  Question  being  put  Whether  the  same  shall 
be  Accepted  passed  in  the  negative  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  a  new  School  was 
read  &  considered  —  whereupon  it  was.  Voted,  that  the  Town 
hire  at  the  Public  charge  the  Schoolhouse  mentioned  in  the  Peti- 
tion of  the  Propriators,  and  Appoint  a  School  Master  to  Educate 
as  many  Children  as  the  Same  School  will  hold,  he  to  be  paid  at 
the  publick  Expence  from  and  After  the  1st.  of  September  next 
untill  such  time  as  Another  School  House  can  be  Obtained  fitted 
for  the  purpose  of  educating  all  the  Children  in  that  Quarter  — 
and  that  the  same  pay  and  Allowance  shall  be  made  the  Master 
as  is  allowed  the  others  of  the  Town  writing  School  Masters  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  —  "To  consider  what  meas- 
ures the  Town  will  take  respecting  their  Land  on  which  the  South 
Battery  stands,  and  the  Land  Adjacent" — was  read  where- 
upon — 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esq1. 
Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Samuel  Henshaw  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Recokds,  1784.  47 

be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  to  Report  at  the  Ad- 
journment — 

[376.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz* — To  consider 
whether  the  Town  will  take  any  further  steps  with  respect  to 
their  Lands  on  the  Neck"  —  was  read  —  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 

Nath1 ;  Barber  Esq1'. 

Nath1 :  Appleton  Esqr. 

William  Tuder  Esqrr 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  what  measures  may  be  taken  to  pre- 
serve the  Lands  on  both  sides  of  the  Neck  leading  to  Roxbury, 
and  to  Report  how  in  their  Opinion,  the  several  parts  of  the  same 
may  be  leased  to  the  greatest  Advantage,  as  well  as  to  preserve 
the  same  as  to  render  it  beneficial  hereafter  to  the  Town 

The  Committee  of  the  Revision  of  the  By  Laws  Reported  — 
and  the  same  being  read  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  consid- 
eration of  this  Report  be  referred  over  to  the  Adjournment  & 
also.  Voted, — That  said  Committee  be  desired  to  draw  up  By 
Laws  for  the  regulation  of  the  Market  agreeable  to  their  said 
Report  — 

Adjourned  to  this  Day  three  Weeks  being  Tuesday  the  14th 
Day  of  Septemr.  next  3.  O'Clock  Afternoon  — 

[377.J  Tuesday  the  14th  Day  of  September  3.  O'Clock 
Afternoon  —  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  revise  the  By  Laws  of  the  Town, 
Reported  one,  relative  to  Surveyors  which  was  read,  and  accepted 
save  the  two  last  Paragraps,  and  the  same  was  referred  to  the 
Committee  for  their  further  consideration  —  also  Voted,  that 

Joseph  Greenleaf  Esqr :  be  added 
to  said  Committee 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  at  large  (as  Letters  C  —  on  file) 
was  then  read  —  whereupon  it  was  moved  and  Voted,  that  this  Re- 
port lay  for  further  consideration,  and  that  the  Committee  be  de- 
sired to  revise  such  of  the  Towns  By  Laws  which  have  been  made 
before  or  since  the  Year  1758.  and  if  they  are  of  Opinion  that 
any  of  such  Laws  should  still  be  in  force  that  they  Report  the 
Same  to  the  Town  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting,  and  that 
the  Town  Clerk  be  directed  to  examine  the  Town  Records  and  lay 
before  said  Committee  such  Laws  if  any  there  be  as  have  been 
made  since  the  Year  1758  —  And  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  Lands  on  the  Neck  Reported,  and 
the  same  being  read  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  further  con- 
sideration be  referred  to  the  Adjournment 


48  City  Document. 

[378.]  Voted,  that  the  Town  Clerk  be  directed  to  Apply  to 
Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  the  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  for  Copies  of  such 
By  Laws  as  have  been  passed  by  the  Town  and  allowed  by  the 
Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  since  the  last  printed 
Code  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Clerk  be  directed  to  Notify  the  Inhabi- 
tants by  printed  Notifications  of  the  Business  of  the  Meeting 

Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it  shall  be  to  this 
Day  four  Weeks  being  the  12th  of  October  next.  3.  O'Clock  P.M. 

And  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned  — 

October  12th  —  3.  OClock  in  the  Afternoon  —  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  devise  Methods  for 
preserving  and  Leasing  the  Towns  Lands  on  the  Neck  —  ware 
again  —  read  —  and  some  consideration  thereon,  moved  & 

Voted,  that  the  Report  be  recommitted,  and  that  said  Commit- 
tee be  desired  to  confer  with  the  Persons  whose  Land  is  con- 
nected with  this  Report,  and  that  the  Committee  be  desired  to 
consider  and  Report  another  Plan  for  the  more  [379.]  speedy 
preservation  of  the  Neck  — 

One  gentelman  of  the  Committee  for  revising  By  Laws  —  Re- 
ported that  the  Committee  were  not  ready  to  Report,  whereupon 
it  was  moved  and 

Voted,  that  said  Committee  be  directed  to  make  —  Application 
to  the  General  Court  for  larger  Powers  in  the  making  of  By 
Laws  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  all  Matters  unfinished  at  this  Meeting  be 
referred-over  to  the  next  General  Town  Meeting  that  may  be 
called  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dessolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuiel  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  11th 
Day  of  January  A.D.  1785  —  3  O.  Clock  Afternoon  — 


Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1784.  49 

The  HonWe :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.  was  chosen  Moderator  of 
this  Meeting  by  a  hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  consider  "&  make 
answer  to  a  Petition  [380.]  of  thirteen  Towns  in  this  Com- 
monwealth for  repealing  or  altering  the  Act  of  the  General 
Court,  for  regulating  the  Market  in  Boston"  was  read.  —  On  a 
Motion,  the  Act  of  the  General  Court  was  also  read. — where- 
upon, the  Question  was  put  Viz*.  —  Whether  it  be  the  sense  of 
the  Town  that  said  Act  should  be  Repealed  —  passed  in  the 
Affirmative  — 

It  was  then  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Gentelmen  the  Select- 
men together  with  the  Honble :  Robert  Treat  Payne  Esqr :  Mr. 
Thomas  Walley  &  Joseph  Greenleaf  Esqr :  be  a  Committee  to 
make  Answer  to  the  Petition  referred  to  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  there  shall  be  an  Adjournment  of  the 
present  Meeting 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  aforenamed  be  directed  to  make 
Report  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting,  the  draught  of  an 
Answer  to  the  Petition  aforesaid,  as  also  to  lay  before  the  Town 
at  the  same  time  an  Account  of  what  Moneys  have  been  collected 
for  stands,  without  the  Market  —  And  that  the  Clerk  of  the 
Market  be  instructed  to  furnish  the  Said  Committee  with  an 
Account  of  all  the  Moneys  which  has  been  collected  by  him  with- 
out the  Market  House  — 

Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  is  [381.]  Adjourned,  it  shall 
be  to  Tuesday  the  18th  of  January  Ins1.  3.  O. Clock  in  the  After- 
noon— 

And  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned  — 

Met  According  to  Adjournment  Tuesday  the  18th  of  January 
3.  O'Clock  P:  M: 

A  Motion  was  made  &  the  Question  put.  Viz*.  — .  Whether 
the  consideration  of  those  Matters  unfinished  at  the  March  Meet- 
ing which  stood  referred  over  to  this  Meeting  be  further  referred 
to  the  Next  Town  Meeting  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  prepare  an  Answer  to  the  Peti- 
tion of  thirteen  Towns  in  this  Commonwealth  for  repealing  or 
altering  the  Act  of  the  General  Court  for  regulating  the  Market 
in  Boston  - —  Report  as  follows  Viz*.  — 

To  the  Honble  Senate  &  House  of  Representatives  in  General 
Court  Assembled  at  Boston  —  January  1785  — 


50  City  Document. 

The  Town  of  Boston  having  been  favor 'd  through  the  medium 
of  their  Selectmen  with  a  Copy  of  the  Petition  of  the  Towns  of 
Roxbury,  Braintree  &  Other  Towns,  respecting  the  Honourable 
Court  either  to  repeal  or  alter  a  late  Law  relative  to  the  Market 
in  Boston  and  have  also  been  notified  to  Appear  before  the  next 
said  Court  to  make  Answer  to  said  Petition  [382.]  if  they  see 
Cause,  in  consequence  of  which  Notification  the  said  Town  of 
Boston  by  their  Committee  Viz* :  the  Selectmen  appear  &  beg 
leave  to  take  notice  of  the  Reasons  given  in  the  said  Petition 
why  the  said  Law  should  be  repealed  or  altered  — 

In  the  first  place  the  Petitioners  say  that  Considerable  Sums 
of  Money  have  been  demanded  for  the  Inconsiderable  priviledge 
of  standing  on  the  same  "  that  is  the  Market  ground  "  this  they 
deem  to  be  contrary  to  that  freedom  of  appropriating  their  own 
Towns  properity  by  their  own  consent  &  consequently  unconsti- 
tutional and  Oppressive  — 

In  Answer  to  which  we  say  that  whatsoever  Sums  have  been 
demanded,  but  a  trifle  has  been  paid  even  not  sufficient  to  pay 
the  daily  expence  of  the  Market,  But  that  this  Demand  is  contrary 
to  the  Intent  of  the  Legislature,  doth  not  appear,  if  we  are  to 
Judge  by  a  fair  and  candid  perusal  of  the  Market  Law,  and  to 
say  that  paying  Money  for  a  priviledge  (as  they  own  it  to  be  in 
their  Petition)  is  contrary  to  that  freedom,  of  Appropriating 
their  own  "properity  by  their  own  consent,  &  unconstitutional 
and  "  oppressive,"  is  as  we  conceive  contrary  to  common  Sense, 
If  they  enjoy  a  Priviledge  its  fit  they  should  pay  for  it,  to  procure 
them  this  Priviledge  the  Town  have  been  at  the  [383.]  Expence 
of  near  two  Thousand  Pounds  in  filling  up  the  Docke  and  are 
annually  at  the  expence  of  a  Clerk  to  accomodate  the  Market 
Men  &  a  Labourer,  who  every  Pay  after  the  Market  is  over, 
clears  away  the  Dung  &  rubish  better  to  accomodate  them, 
Their  own  Properity  they  dispose  of  as  they  please,  &  do  what 
they  will  with  their  money  when  received  &  how  this  can  be 
deem'd  unconstitutional,  or  oppressive  cannot  be  concived  but 
by  the  Framers  of  said  Petition 

The  next  thing  the  Petitioners  complain  of  is  being  restrained 
from  standing  more  than  half  an  ' '  houre  in  any  public  place  or 
Street,  in  Boston  under  "the  penalty  of  two  Shillings  for  every 
offence  "which  they  concieve  to  be  an  abridgment  of  that  Liberty 
which  every  good  Citizen  ought  to  enjoy,"  —  All  that  need  be 
said  in  answer  to  this  is,  that  by  the  paragraph  referred  to  in- 
stead of  Abridging  it  is  an  enlargement  of  their  liberty  —  before 
the  Law,  Teams,  Carts,  Trucks,  Chaise  &c  Standing  a  less  space 
of  time  in  the  Street,  road  or  high  way  would  be  deem'd  a  com- 
mon Nuisance  &  might  be  punish'd  as  such  'tis  a  Priviledge  that 
no  Inhabitant  of  this  Commonwealth  either  in  Boston  or  in  any 
other  Town  is  allowed.  — 

The  Petitioners  also  complain  of  it  as  a  hardship  that  Common 
Street  is  set  a  part  as  a  market  place  for  the  sale  of  Hay,  Wood 
&c  —  Instead  of  a  greivance  this  is  another  Priviledge,  there  they 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1785.  51 

may  stand  all  Day,  without  being  liable  to  be  presented  [384.] 
for  obstructing  the  road,  as  an  Inhabitant  of  Boston  might  be.  — 

We  have  this  further  to  say  Viz* :  that  the  Law  which  they 
complajn  of  doth  not  Compel  them  either  to  go  into  Common 
Street  with  their  Lumber  or  the  Market  with  their  Provisions, 
it  leaves  them  at  free  Liberty  to  pass  and  repass,  thro'  all  the 
Streets  in  Boston  so  as  they  do  not  Obstruct  the  passage  or 
make  it  inconvenient  for  other  passangers  thus  it  appears  that 
their  Blood  &  Treasure  "has  not  in  this  respect  been  spent  in 
vain  — 

We  know  of  no  Jealousy  or  Cause  of  Jealousy  subsisting  be- 
tween Town  &  Country  ;  We  are  one  People,  Brothers  ;  our  Inter- 
ests are  one  ;  and  to  convince  our  Friends  in  the  Country,  espe- 
cially those  in  the  Petitiononing  Towns,  that  we  wish  to  live  in 
perfect  Harmony  with  them,  we  shall  make  no  oppositions  to  a 
Motion  for  a  Total  repeal  of  this  Act  which  they  complain  off 
however  mistaken  we  think  they  have  been  in  the  construction 
of  it.  — 

It  was  then  moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Town  do  accept  of  this 
Report,  and  that  the  sd :  Committee  Viz*.  "  The  Gentelmen  the 
Selectmen  &  the  Honb!e :  Robert  T.  Payne  Esqr.  Mr.  Thomas 
Walley  and  Joseph  Greenleaf  Esqr.  be  and  hereby  are  instructed 
to  lay  the  Same  before  the  General  Court  as  the  Answer  of  the 
Town  to  the  Petition  aforesaid 

Then  the  Meeting  was  dissolved 


[385.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Thursday  the  10th 
Day  of  February  Anno  Domini  1785.  3.  O 'Clock  P.  M. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esq1", 
chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  by  a  hand  Vote  — 

The  Petition  for  calling  the  Meeting  Signed  by  five  hundred 
of  the  Inhabitants  was  read 

The  1st.  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  —  "To  consider  &  de- 
termine (on  the  request  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants)  Whether 
the  Town  will  prefer  a  Petition  to  the  Honourable  the  General 
Court,  that  the  Petition  of  Thomas  Russel  Esqr.  &  Others,  who 
pray  for  liberty  to  build  a  Bridge  over  Charles  River  where  the 
Ferry  between  Charlestown  &  Boston  is  now  kept '  —  may  be 
granted "  was  read  and  considered,  whereupon  the  Question 
was  put  Viz* :  —  Whether  such  a  Petition  shall  be  preferred  to  the 


52  City  Document. 

General  Court — Passed   in  the  Affirmative,  with  but  two  Dis- 
sentients there  being  1800  Voters  present  — 

[386.]  The  2d  :  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  Whether  the 
Town  will  give  Instructions  to  their  Representatives  to  support 
&  use  their  endeavours  to  have  the  same  Petition  granted"  — 
was  read,  and  the  Question  being  accordingly  put  —  Passed  in 
the  Aflermative  unanimousley 

Voted,  that  Benja.  Hitchbourn  Esq1'. 

Honble :  John  Lowel  Esqr. 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Honble :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes,  Jur.  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  Draught 
of  a  Petition  accordingly 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  all  matters  referred  over  to  this  Meeting 
be  referred  to  the  Annual  Meeting  in  March  next  — 

The  aforegoing  Committee  Reported  the  Draught  of  a  Petition 
to  the  General  Court  as  directed  ;  and  the  same  having  been  read 
the  Question  was  put  —  ' '  Whether  the  Town  do  approve  of  the 
same  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  unanimously  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  said  Petition  be  signed  by  the  Town 
Clerk  in  the  Name  &  behalf  of  the  Town  —  and  that  he  hand  in 
the  same  to  the  Gentelmen  who  Represent  this  Town  in  the 
General  Court  —  also 

[387.]  Voted,  that  the  Town  Clerk  serve  each  of  said  Gen- 
telmen with  an  Attested  Copy  of  the  aforegoing  Instructions  for 
the  Support  of  said  Petition 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified,  and  legally  warned  in  publick 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  14tb 
Day  of  March  — A  :M 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Eckley 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  enjoined  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  —  were  ac- 
cordingly read  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  53 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  and  sorted  it,  appeared  that  the 

Honble :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
was,  chosen  Moderator  — 

William  Cooper  Esq1, 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
of  Office  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  Duty  which  Oath  was 
Administered  to  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Price  — 

[388.]  The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  choose 
nine  Selectmen,  the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw 
and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  that  number,  and  the  same  brought 
in  and  sorted,  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Gentelmen  — Viz*. 

John  Scollay  Esq1'. 

Nathan  Frazier  Esqr.  declines  serving 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Cap*.  William  Mackay 

Tuttle  Hubbart  Esqr. 

John  Brown  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Bossinger  Foster  —  declines  serving 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 

Cap*.  Amasa  Davis 
were  chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and 
hereby  are  given  unto  Deacon  Thomas  Greenough,  for  his  faith- 
ful Services  as  a  Selectman  a  Number  of  years  past 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and 
hereby  are  given  unto  David  Jeffries  Esqr.  for  his  faithful  Ser- 
vices as  a  Selectman  a  number  of  years  past  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  having 
been  brought  in  and  Sorted,  it  Appear'd  that  — 
[389.]  The  Honble:  William  Phillips  Esqr. 

Isaac  Smith  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Mason 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

John  White  Esqr. 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 

William  Powell  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esq1-. 

Joseph  Webb  Esqr. 

Mr.  Henry  Prentice 

Mr.  Jona  :  L.  Austin 

Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 


5-i  City  Document. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Sixteen  Fire-Wards  ;  and  the  same  being  brought  in 
and  Sorted  it  Appeared 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and 
hereby  are  given  unto  Cap*.  Samuel  Partridge  for  his  faithful 
Services  as  an  Overseer  of  the  Poor  a  Number  of  years  past 

Adjourned  to  3  :  OClock  in  the  Afternoon 

I 
3  :  OClock  Afternoon  met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Sixteen  Fire- Wards  ;  and  the  same  having  been  brouhgt 
in  &  Sorted  it  Appeared  that  — 

[390.]  William  Cooper,  Esqr. 

Edward  Procter  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 

Cap*.  Gustavus  Fellows 

Mr.  John  Lowell 

Andrew  Syms  Esqr. 

Cap*.  John  Ballard 

M1.  John  Wintroop 

Thomas  Melville  Esqr. 

Cap*.  Isaac  Phillips 

Col0.  Jabez  Hatch 

Mr.  Jacob  Rhoades 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark 

Major  Robert  Davis 

Samuel  Brick  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Henry  Bass 
were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  and  upon  sorting  them 
it  Appeared,  that 

Mr.  Matthew  Nazro 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing 

To  Morrow  10.  OClock  Fore  Noon  assigned  for  coming  to  the 
choice  of  a  County  Treasuerer  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Wardens  be  postponed  — 

[391.]  The  Inhabitants  withdrew  &  brought  in  their  Votes 
for  a  Town  Treasurer,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

Mr.  Peter  Boyer 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  unanimously  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  Collectors  of  Taxes  be  chosen  sepe- 
rate  from  Constables  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  55 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  twelve  Constables, 
and  the  same  being  sorted  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Persons 
were  chosen  Viz*. 

Messrs :  John  Lampson 

John  Pownal sworn 

Nathaniel  Henchman  d°. 
Samuel  Whitney 

Samuel  Smith —  Sworn 
George  Hamlin 

Isaac  Wendell Sworn 

Francis  Booth  -     - Sworn 

George  Butterfield (excused) 

John  T.  Hurley Sworn 

William  Patten       -------  Sworn 

Moses  Bass (excused) 

Adjourned  to  to  Morrow  Morning  10.  O'Clock  — 

Tuesday-March  15th.  10-OClock  in  the  Forenoon  —  met  accord- 
ing to  Adjournment 

[393-]  The  following  Persons  were  chosen  Clerks  of  the 
Market  for  the  year  ensuing  Viz*. 

Cap* :  William  Donnison  sworn 

Mr.  Benjamin  Cutler  sworn 
Mr.  Thomas  L.  Winthrop 

Mr.  John  Erving sworn 

M*.  Benjamin  Austin  Jur. 

Mr.  Samuel  Blag —  sworn 

Mr.  John  Marston  Junr. 

Mr.  Thomas  W  Russell  sworn 

Mr.  John  Goreham  Rogers  sworn 

Mr.  Syluester  Bourn  sworn 

Mr.  William  Fisher —  sworn 

Mr.  David  Spear  Jur.  —  sworn 

Cap*.  William  McNeil 

Edward  How  —  sworn 

were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  ensuing  Year  — 

Messrs :  George  Hamlin  sworn 

Samuel  Curtis  —  sworn 

were  chosen  Haywards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  William  Sharp 
Jacob  Edes 
Josiah  Simpson 
John  Skinner 
were  chosen  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  John  Neat 

Jonathan  Stoddard 


56  City  Document. 

Andrew  Townsend  Jur.  Sworn 

[393.]  Benjamin  White —  sworn 

William  Todd 
were  chose  Fence  Viewers  for  the  ensuing  Year 

Messrs :  Nathan  Green  (delines) 

James  Bruce —  sworn 

James  Williams       ...  sworn 

Samuel  Bangs    -     -     -     -  sworn 

were  chose  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

Mr.  William  Daws  Junr 
was  chosen  an  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chose  Assay  Masters  for  the  year  ensuing 

The  Selectmen 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  High  Ways  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

John  Lucas  Esqr 
John  Jenkins 
Mr.  Edward  Tuckerman 
John  White  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chosen  Survey ers  of  Wheat  &  Flour  for  the  Year  ensuing — 

Messrs :  Isaac  Tuckerman  sworn 

Jacob  Goold  sworn 

where  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Ward 
[394.]      Messrs.  Jonathan  Farnum     -----         N°  1 

Thomas  Bradford 2  Sworn 

Nathaniel  Hill 3 

Benjamin  Henderson  -     -     -  4 

Jacob  Edes 5 

Benjamin  Curtis  ------  6 

William  Breed     ------  7 

Jasiah  Simpson   ------  8  Sworn 

William  Rogers 9  sworn 

Adam  Colson 10 

William  Sharp 11  sworn 

Ephraim  Thayer 12 

were  chose  Scavingers  for  the  year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  twelve  pence  on  the  Pound  be  and 
hereby  is  allowed  to  Such  Persons  as  are  or  may  be  chosen  Col- 
lectors of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing,  for  all  such  Sums  as  they 
shall  Collect  and  pay  into  the  several  Treasuries  of  the  Sum  com- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  57 

mitted  to  them  to  Collect  within  eight  Months  from  the  Receit  of 
the  Tax  Books  ;  six  pence  on  the  Pound  on  all  such  Other  Sums 
as  they  shall  so  have  paid  in  within  twelve  Months  and  four 
pence  upon  all  Afterwards  —  Also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give 
Bond  with  Sufficient  Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  Duty  in  said  Office  and  com- 
plying [395.]  with  this  Vote;  and  that  they  will  not  receive 
any  Premium  or  Gratuity  for  discounting  any  Order  Note  or 
Recepts  from  the  Treasurer  of  the  State  or  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Town  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be 
seven  shillings  &  Six  Pence  ^  Day  for  the  time  they  may  sit  in 
doing  the  Business  of  their  Office 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Nathan  Frazier  Esqr.  for  his  faithful  Services  as  a  Select- 
man for  a  Number  of  years  past 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  impowered  and 
directed  to  set  for  Such  Abatement  of  Taxes  as  they  shall 
Judge  reasonable,  ten  Days  following  the  date  &  delivery  of  the 
Tax  Bill  (Lord  Days  excepted)  and  no  longer  saving  that  they 
be  allowed  to  set  two  Days  the  last  Week  in  February  for  the 
Abatement  of  the  Taxes  of  such  Persons  as  had  not  an  Opper- 
tunity  of  Applying  in  the  Above  limitted  time,  by  reason  of  their 
being  out  of  the  Commonwealth,  or  any  other  unavoidable  hin- 
drance ;  at  which  time  they  are  also  allowed  and  impowered  to 
Abate  the  Taxes  of  such  Persons  as  may  have  died  Insolvent 
before  the  said  time  — 

[396.]     Voted,  that  Edward  Payne  Esqr. 

Edward  Green  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russel  Esqr. 

William  Parsons 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accompts 
of  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  Treasurer  and  also  the  Accompts  of  the  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor ;  and  the  said  Committee  are  impowered  when 
they  shall  Audit  said  Accompts,  allow  such  of  the  Overseers  of 
the  Poor  as  shall  have  Advanced  Monies  for  the  Relief  of  the 
Poor  Interest  on  all  such  Sums  from  the  time  so  Advanced, 
untill  they  have  Audited  said  Accompts  and  they  are  also  desired 
to  Report  from  time  to  time  a  State  of  the  Treasury  respecting 
its  Debts  and  Credits,  and  on  any  matters,  that  they  may  think 
proper  — 

And  the  Committee  are  also  directed  to  examine  the  Draught 
of  the  Selectmen 


58  City  Document. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Surveyers  of  Boards  &  Shingles ;  and  upon 
sorting  them  it  appeared,  that 

[397.]     Messrs:  John  Cham pney    -------  sworn 

Joseph  Butler  -     -     - d°. 

Henry  Blaisdel     -------  cl°. 

Benjamin  Page     -------  cl°. 

Abraham  Howard     ------  d°. 

James  Rogers d°. 

Joshua  Bently'      - d°. 

Joseph  Eyres d°. 

Clement  Collins -  d°. 

Samuel  Dyer  --------  d°. 

Samuel  Fenno d°. 

Edmund  Ranger d°. 

were  chose  Surveyers  of  Boards  for  Year  ensuing 

Adjourned  to  3.  OClock  in  the  Afternoon  — 

3.  O'Clock  Afternoon  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  County  Treasurer,  which  were  received,  and  sealed 
up  in  Meeting  and  then  delivered  to  Mr.  Constable  Smith  to  be 
by  him  returned  to  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  at 
their  next  Meeting  — 

[398.]  The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in  their  Votes 
for  Seven  Assessors  and  the  same  being  sorted  it  Appeared  that 

Messrs :  William  Lowder      --------  Sworn 

G-lyes  Harris      -- d°. 

Moses  May  -     -     - d°. 

John  Pulling --      d°. 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. d°. 

Cap*.  William  Fleet 

John  R.  Sigorney  sworn 

were  chose  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Inhabitants  were  desired  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  four  Collectors  when  it  Appeared  that  — 

Messrs :  James  Thompson  sworn 

Thomas  Bay  ley  sworn 

Daniel  Parker 

Charles  Williams  sworn 

were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  four  Selectmen  in  the  room  of  such  as  had  declined 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  59 

serving  and  the  same  being  brought  in  accordingly  it  Appeared 
that 

[399,]     Messrs :  John  Andrews 

Henry  Jackson  Esq1'.       declines 
Hermon  Brimmer     -  d°. 

Cap*.  William  Brown 
were  chose  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Col0.  Josiah  Waters —     declines 
was  chosen  a  Fire  Ward  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  consider  the  request  of 
Governer  Hancock  respecting  Beacon  Hill  —  was  read  —  where- 
upon 

Voted,  that  William  Tuder  Esqr. 

Samuel  Barret  Esqr. 

Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Benja.  Hitchbourn  Esqr. 

Nath1.  Appleton  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  Article  into  consideration  :  to  confer 
with  Governer  Hancock  and  Report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Request  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  "  that  Measures 
may  be  taken  for  making  a  Road  from  West  Boston  to  the  North 
End,  where  the  Causeway  is  or  near  it  "  —  was  read  whereupon  — 

[400.]     Voted,  that  Col0.  John  May 

Cap*.  Isaac  Phillips 
Col0.  t)aws 
Deacon  Sharp 

William  Tuder  Esqr.  excused 
.      HonDle  :  John  Lowell  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  Request  under  consideration,  and  to 
Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  consider  the  request  of 
the  Inhabitants  that  some  effectual  Measures  may  be  taken,  as 
well  as  to  prevent  the  Inroads  of  the  Sea  on  each  side  of  the 
Neck  as  for  the  safety  of  Passengers  passing  &  repassing  the 
same  "  —  was  read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 
Nath1.  Barber  Esq1'. 
Nath1.  Appleton  Esq1. 
William  Tuder  Esqr. 
Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 
John  Lucas  —  Esqr. 
Col0.  Daws  -     -     -     Esqr. 
Josiah  Waters  —  Esqr. 
Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 


60  City  Document. 

[401.]     be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Matter,    and  Report 
as  soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  —  "That  the  sense  of  the 
Town  may  be  taken  as  to  the  Appointment  of  a  Master  for  the 
Southermost  Writing  School "  —  was  read,  as  also  the  Petition 
to  the  Selectmen  relative  thereto  whereupon  it  was  moved,  and 
Voted,  unanimously,  That  the  same  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  for 
them  to  consider  and  Act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge  best 

The  Request  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  "  that  a  Watch 
may  be  established  as  formerly  in  State  Street —  was  read,  where- 
upon 

Voted,  that  said  Request  be  granted,  and  that  the  Selectmen 
be  direeted  to  take  order  for  establishing  a  Watch  at  the  Place 
prayed  for 

Adjourned  to  to  Morrow  Morning  10  O'Clock  Forenoon  — 

10  —  O  Clock  March  16.  Town  Met  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment — - 

[402.]     Messrs :  Joseph  Spear 

Cap*.  Manassah  Maston  sworn 

Joshua  Pico 

Caleb  Hayden sworn 

John  Owen 

Edward  Burt d°. 

Cap*.  David  Spear 
Joseph  Loring 
Robert  Hitchbourn 
John  McElroy 

Daniel  Bell d°. 

William  Marston 
were  chose  Cullers  of  Staves  and  Hoops  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  The  Request  of  a  Number  of 
the  Inhabitants  ' '  that  the  Town  would  take  Measures  for  a 
supply  of  Bulls  on  the  Common"  —  was  read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  this  matter  be  referred  to  the  Selectmen,  for  them 
to  Act  thereon,  as  they  shall  Judge  proper 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  two  Selectmen,  and 
upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

[403.]  Mr.  Joshua  Henshaw  Jur. 

Mr.  Moses  Grant  — 
were  chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  61 

The  Request  of  a  number  of  the  Inhabitants  that  the  Town 
would  consider  what  shall  be  done  with  regard  to  the  Admeasure- 
ment of  Wood  on  the  Wharves  &c  —  was  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Deacon  Sharp 

William  Story  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Belknap 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  matter  into  consideration  and  to  Re- 
port thereon  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz'.  ' '  To  consider  relative  to 
Monies  due  from  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  "  —  was  read  —  where- 
upon — 

Voted,  that  Edward  Payne,  Esq1. 

Edward  Green  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr. 

Mr.  William  Parsons 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Account  of  the  Town  Treasurer  be  a 
Committee  to  consider  this  Matter  and  to  Report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment — 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  to  Audit  [404.]  The  Accompt  of 
the  Town  Treasurer  be  desired  to  prepare  an  Estamate  of  the 
Money  necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  services  of  the  Town  the 
Year  ensuing,  stating  the  particular  uses  to  which  the  same  is  to 
be  Appropriated,  and  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  all  Money  matters  be  referred 
to  the  time  the  Above  Committee  make  Report  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  consider  what  Measures 
the  Town  will  take  respecting  the  Market "  —  was  read,  as  also  a 
Memorial  of  Cap*.  John  Ballard — whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Andrews 

Mr.  Samuel  May 

Mr.  Thomas  Walley 

Christ0.  Gore  Esqr. 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  to  Report  as  soon  as 
may  be  — 

The  Memorial  of  Mr.  Alexander  Hill  relative  to  Monies  he  had 
lent  the  Town,  was  read  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Cristopr.  Gore  Esq1-. 

Nath1.  Appleton  Esqr.  excused 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
[405.]  Mr.  Jonathan  Mason  excused 

Joseph  Russel  Junr. 


62  City  Document. 

be  a  Committee  to  consider  &  Report  at  the  Adjournment 

The  Petition  of  John  Lambert,  "  that  a  further  allowance  may 
be  made  him  for  work  done  on  the  Common  &  Repairs  at  North 
Battery  Wharf  —  was  read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  said  Petition  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  for  them  to 
Act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge  proper  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "  To  consider  whether  Appli- 
cation shall  be  made  to  the  General  Court  to  Authorise  the  Town 
to  choose  an  Additional  Number  of  Selectmen  —  was  read  — 
whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :  Steph11.  Higginson  Esqr. 

Christ1.  Core  Esqr. 

Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Article  and  Report  thereon  at 
the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Fire  Insurance  Company 
was  read  —  and 

[406.]  After  some  debate  it  was  Moved  and  Voted  that  the 
further  consideration  of  this  Matter  be  referred  over  to  the  Ad- 
journment of  this  Meeting  — 

Moved  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  the  first  Monday  in 
April  next,  3.  OClock  in  the  Afternoon  — 

And  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  Accordingly 


Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Peter  Thatcher  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Form  of  Government  relative 
to  the  choise  of  Governor  Leiv*.  Governor,  and  Six  Senators  for 
the  County  of  Suffolk  was  also  read  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Town  will  come  to  the  choice  of 
a  Governor  Lev1.  Governor  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be 
received  but  .such  as  are  unfolded  — 

[407.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  twenty  One  Years  and  upwards  qualified  as  the  Con- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  63 

stitution  prescribes,  and  legally  warned  in  pnblick  Town  Meeting 
Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  4th.  Day  of  April 
Anno  Domini,  1785  —  9.  OClock  A  :  M  : 

Prayer  was  made  by  The  Revd  :  Mr :  Peter  Thatcher 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Form  of  G-overment  relative 
to  the  choice  of  Governor  Lev* :  Governor  and  Six  Senators  for 
the  County  of  Suffolk  was  also  read  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Town  will  now  come  to  the  choice 
of  a  Governor  Lev* :  Governor  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County 
of  Suffolk  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be 
received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  [408.]  Propose 
the  Poll  shall  be  closed  at  One  O'Clock 

On  a  Motion,  Voted  that  the  several  Bells  in  the  Town  be  set 
a  Ringing  at  half  past  Twelve  O'Clock  and  to  continue  Ringing 
untill  O'  1  Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  with  the  number  of  Votes  for 
each  Person  Viz* :  — 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 337 

Honourable  James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 574 

Honble  :  Tristram  Dalton  Esqr. 7 

Honble:   Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 23 

Honourable  John' Hancock  Esqr. 5 

Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 4 

Honble :  Francis  Dana  Esqr. 1 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Lievetenant  Governor  with  the  Number 
of  Votes  for  each  Person  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 665 

Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esq1'. 259 

Honble:  Tristram  Dalton  Esqr. 5 

Honble :   James  Warren  Esq1'. 1 

Honble:  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 1 

James  Swan  Esqr. --  1 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr.     ------------  1 

[409.]  Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk  with  the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Parson  —  Viz*.  — 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 48 

TheHonble:  John  Lowell  Esqr. 630 


64  City  Document. 

Honble:   Samuel  Dexter  Escf.  -------»-■.-  158 

Honble:   Cotteu  Tuffts  Esq1'.     ----------  901 

Honble  I  Benjamin  Lincoln  -- 126 

Honble:  William  Heath  Esq1'. 407 

Honble :    Samuel  Adams  Esq1'. 692 

Honble:  William  Phillips  Esqr. 739 

Stephen  Metcalf  Esq1'.    -     - 590 

Richard  Cranch  Esq1'.     -- 408 

Honble:   Benjamin  Austin  Esqr. 368 

John  Brown  Esqr.      -..- 191 

Ebenezer  Wales  Esqr.     ------ 51 

Honble:   Samuel  Nyles  Esqr. 91 

Samuel  Brick  Esq1'. 55 

Honble:   Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 61 

Honble:    Samuel  A.  Otis  Esqr. 23 

Honble.  T.  Dalton  Esqr.       - 4 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esq1'.       --_. 3 

Lemuel  Hollock  Esqr.     ----- 9 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 6 

Isaac  Smith  Esqr. ---  2 

Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esqr.  ---- 4 

[410.]     Honble:  Jobez  Fisher  Esqr. 10 

Thomas  Daws  Esqr. 3 

John  Lucas  Esq1".       ------- 1 

D1'.  Charles  Jarvis 2 

Thomas  Russell  Esq1'. 5 

William  Powell  Esqr.      ------ 1 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  &  Lieu*. 
G-overner  &  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  committed 
to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  &  the  Inclosures  Sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting,  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 
The  Number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  G-overner 
Liev* :  Governer  &  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  Certi- 
fied within  and  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


Adjournment  of  March  Meeting   Monday  the   4th.   of   April. 
3.  OClock  Afternoon  met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Moderator  being  Absent  Col°.  Daws  was  chosen  Modera- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  65 

tor  Pro.  Tern0.  —  [411.]  but  the  Moderator  Appearing,  he  took 
the  Chair ;  when  it  was  moved  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to 
to  Morrow.  3.  O'Clock  Afternoon  —  and  the  Meeting  was  accord- 
ingly Adjourned 

Tuesday  the  5th  Day  of  April  3.  OClock  Afternoon  —  Met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  one  Selectman  for 
the  year  ensuing,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that 

Mr.  William  Cunningham 
was  chosen  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Fire  Ward,  and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
sorted,  it  appeared  that  — 

The  HonDle :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  —  excused  was  chosen  a  Fire 
Ward  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  the  Market  &  Cap*. 
Ballards  Petition,  read,  whereupon  moved  and  carried  that,  that 
part  of  the  Report  which  relates  to  Monies  received  by  Cap*.  Bal- 
lard, and  Accounts  to  be  settled,  be  referred  to  the  Selectmen  for 
Settlement  — 

Also  Voted,  that  the  further  [412.]  consideration  of  the  lat- 
ter part  of  said  Report  which  relates  to  the  Erecting  Buildings 
&c  —  be  referred  to  May  Meeting  —  and  that  the  same  be  inserted 
by  the  Selectmen  in  the  Warrant  that  shall  be  issued  for  said 
Meeting  — 

The  Article  of  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  Neck,  was  read  as 
also  the  Report  of  the  Committee  to  take  the  same  under  consid- 
eration —  was  read  and  the  Report  having  been  considered  —  the 
Question  was  put  —  Whether  the  same  shall  be  Accepted  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  —  and  said  Report  is  as  follows  Viz*. 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  the  Town  at  their  Annual  Meet- 
ing 14th.  Day  of  March  last  "  to  consider  the  request  of  a  Num- 
ber of  the  Inhabitants  that  some  effectual  Measures  as  well  to 
prevent  the  Inroads  of  the  Sea  on  each  side  of  the  Neck  as  for 
the  Safety  of  Passengers  passing  or  repassing  the  same  "  and  to 
whom  was  recommended  the  Report  of  a  Committee  made  on  the 
same  subject  at  a  Town  Meeting  on  the  14th.  Day  of  September 
last  they  have  Attended  the  Business  &  Report 

That  After  mature  consideration  of  the  Report  submitted  to . 
the  Town  by  the  [413.]  Committee  on  the  14th  Day  of  Septem- 
ber they  are  of  Opinion  that  the  plan  then  reported  involved  in  it 


66  City  Document. 

an  Object  of  too  great  Magnitude  to  be  carried  into  effect  under 
the  present  straitened  Finances  of  the  Town  &  was  calculated  on 
two  large  a  scale  for  Private  Individuals  to  have  engaged  in; 
Your  Committee  therefore  think  it  not  Advisable  at  present  that 
any  part  of  the  Report  referred  to  should  be  Adopted  But  as  the 
present  exposed  situation  of  the  Neck  Demands  that  some  imme- 
diate Measures  should  be  persued  to  check  the  Inroads  of  the  Sea 
which  prevails  daly  &  distructive  Advances  must  in  a  little  time 
produce  the  most  runious  Effects  they  propose 
"First  that  a  Sea  Wall  shall  be  erected  from  the  Southeast  cor- 
ner of  the  Fortification  to  run  fourteen  hundred  feet  to  &  on  the 
out  side  of  Hills  Dam  (so  called)  to  be  built  of  stone  with  a  double 
Capstan  to  be  at  least  3£  feet  at  Bottom  —  2^  feet  at  Top  &  to 
be  bedded  two  feet  and  the  Stone  Work  to  be  five  feet  high  in- 
cluding the  bedding  this  Wall  to  be  Well  backed  &  secured  &  to 
be  kept  in  good  repaire  as  a  Barrier  against  the  Sea  forever  — 
Secondly  the  Wall  on  the  Northwest  side  of  the  Neck  being  in  a 
very  disjointed  &  tottering  State,  it  is  become  exceeding  neces- 
sary to  have  a  range  of  Stronge  Pickets  11  feet  longe  &  well  se- 
cured by  being  placed  three  feet  in  the  Clay  &  at  the  distance  of 
18  Inches  from  the  Wall,  which  [414.]  Space  should  be  filled  in 
with  Roxbury  Chips  or  small  stones  —  These  Pickets  ought  to  be 
five  feet  Above  the  Wall  as  it  now  stands  all  of  the  same  heigth 
to  be  pointed  &  ribbarded  near  the  Top.  And  to  defrey  the  ex- 
pence  Attending  these  Two  pieces  of  Work  it  is  proposed  that  the 
Town  shall  grant  in  fee  to  such  Person  or  Persons  as  will  undertake 
&  finish  in  a  substantial  manner  these  two  Important  Barriers,  all 
the  Land  and  Flatts  lying  on  the  Southeast  side  of  the  Neck  ex- 
tending 1400  feet  from  the  Fortification  to  the  end  of  the  proposed 
Wall  on  that  Side ;  As  Also  all  the  Flatts  on  the  Northwest  side 
included  within  the  Wall  now  standing  &  a  line  to  be  run  par- 
rallel  with  said  Wall  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  feet  there- 
from, Subject  however  to  the  Grantees  &  their  Heirs  &  Assigns 
forever,  hereafter  keeping  the  said  Barriers  in  good  repair ;  as 
also  preserving  the  Passage  way  on  each  side  the  Pavement  in  suit- 
able Order  for  Travelling  in  the  same  manner  that  the  Abutters 
on  the  publick  Streets  do  in  other  parts  of  the  Town  —  The  G-rant 
above  is  Also  to  reserve  to  the  Town  forever  a  Street  between 
the  Premisses  of  Eighty  feet  wide.  —  The  Grantees  are  also  to 
Covenant  to  each  a  Rale  Fence  on  the  Southeast  side  of  the 
Above  extent  of  1400  feet  [415.]  as  also  the  Picket  work  on 
the  Northwest  side,  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  November  next 
for  the  security  of  Passangers  and  likewise  to  contract  for  the 
Building  &  compleating  the  Sea  Wall  by  the  first  of  Novr:  1786 
—  Thirdly  That  the  safety  of  Travellers  &  the  Inhabitants,  as 
well  as  the  preservation  of  Sixty  Acres  of  Upland  &  Marsh  be- 
longing to  the  Town,  make  it  exceeding  necessary  that  the  rest 
of  the  Land  should  be  immediately  inclosed  by  an  Open  Fence  of 
Posts  &  two  rails,  similar  to  the  one  round  the  Common  —  And 
to  effect  this  purpose  your  Committee  think  it  for  the  Interest  of 
the  Town  to  lease  the  same  for  the  Term  of  Twelve  years  to  such 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  67 

Person  or  Persons  as  will  contract  to  raise  such  a  Fence,  keep 
the  same  in  repair,  &  so  leave  the  same  at  the  expiration  of  said 
Term  for  the  Use  of  the  Town,  &  also  engage  to  set  out  suitable 
Elm  Trees  at  50  feet  distance  on  each  side  of  the  Neck -the  whole 
extent  of  the  Town  Land  &  from  time  to  time  replace  them  when 
they  decay  or  are  destroyed  —  This  Bargain  to  be  at  the  refusal 
of  the  Persons  who  shall  undertake  the  Stone  Wall  &  Picketing 
—  Fourthly  —  It  is  become  necessary  that  the  sunking  Pavement 
on  the  Center  of  the  Isthmus  should  be  [416.]  raised  two  feet 
high  for  450  feet  extent  that  the  Other  parts  of  the  Pavement 
should  be  repaired  &  that  one  Thousand  Load  at  least  of  G-ravil 
should  be  laid  on  the  defective  parts  of  the  Cartway  on  the  East 
Side  of  the  Pavement  —  The  Expence  of  this  said  Work  the  Com- 
mittee compute  to  Amount  to  £500  —  &  to  defrey  which  they 
recomend  it  to  the  consideration  of  the  Town  to  dispose  of  the 
Land  Annexed  to  &  Adjoining  the  Fortification  within  on  both 
sides  — The  sale  of  which  they  are  of  Opinion  will  raise  the  Sum 
wanted  —  The  Committee  recomend  that  the  Selectmen  be  Author- 
ized, or  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  execute  the  Above  Buisness 
on  the  best  Terms  &  in  the  most  expedious  way  possable  &  to 
make  &  execute  proper  Deeds  to  effect  the  purposes  aforemen- 
tioned.—  The  foregoing  was  unanimously  Agreed  &c 
Boston  4th  April  1785  Samuel  Brick  ^  Order 

The  Committee  relative  to  Land  at  S5  Battery,  Reported  — 
and  the  same  being  read,  it  was  on  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the 
consideration  of  said  Report  be  reffered  to  May  Meeting ;  and 
the  Town  Clark  is  directed  to  furnish  the  Honble  :  Oliver  Wendell 
Esqr.  [417.]  with  a  Copy  of  said  Report  — 

The  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  the  Fire  Insurance  Com- 
pany Reported —  on  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of 
said  Report  be  referred  to  May  Meeting 

The  Committee  on  Mr.  Hills  Petition  Reported  —  and  the  same 
being  read  and  considered  —  the  Question  was  put  —  Whether 
the  same  shall  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  Mr.  Hill  have  leave  to  withdraw  said 
Petition  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  enlarging  the  present  Number  .of 
Selectmen  having  Reported  —  It  was  moved  &  Voted  that  the 
consideration  of  said  Report  be  referred  to  May  Meeting 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  and  Things  which  remain  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General  Town  Meeting  in 
May  next  then  to  be  Acted  upon  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


68  City  Document. 

[418.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned 
in  publick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Tuesday 
the  26th  Day  of  April  A.  D.  1785.     11.  O'Clock  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     read  — 

On  a  Motion  — 

The  Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.  was  chosen  Moderator  of 
this  Meeting  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

Warrant  again  read,  and  on  a  Motion  the  Printed  Resolution 
of  the  Merchants  —  relative  to  some  late  Importation,  was  also 
read  — 

The  first  Clause  of  the  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*:  "To 
take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  the  Selectmen  Acting 
agreeably  to  the  Votes  and  Agreement  of  a  late  Meeting  of  a  large 
Number  of  Merchants  &  Traders  of  the  Town"  — was  read,  and 
After  some  Debate  it  was  moved  and  carried  that  this  Clause  be 
passed  Over  —  and  then  the  latter  Clause  of  the  Article  in  the 
[419.]  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town  will  take  any  meas- 
ures relative  to  said  Business" — was  read,  and  considered  — 
whereupon  the  Question  was  put  accordingly  and  passed  in  the 
Negative  by  a  very  large  Majority 

It  was  then  moved,  that  this  Meeting  be  dissolved,  and  it  was 
accordingly 

dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  publiek 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  the  10th  Day  of  May 
Anno  Domini  1785  —  10.  O'Clock  before  Noon  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Howard 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  form  of  Government  which 
relates  to  the  Choice  of  Representatives     -     -     -     -     read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  were  accordingly 
read     


[420.]  The  Town  having  determined  to  choose  seven  Persons 
to  represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be 
held  at  the  State  House  at  Boston  upon  the  last  Wednesday  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  69 

May  Current  Agreeable  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Govern- 
ment for  the  Massachusetts  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to 
withdraw  and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Seven  Representatives, 
&  then  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  should  be 
received  but  such  as  ware  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose  that 
the  Poll  should  be  closed  at  12  —  O'Clock —  the  Assessors  were 
requested  to  stand  at  the  Door  while  the  Inhabitants  were  giving 
in  their  Votes  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  all  those  Persons  who  Vote  for  Rep- 
resentatives shall  in  their  giving  in  their  respective  Votes,  enter 
into  the  Hall,  and  there  remaine  untill  the  Poll  is  closed  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives,  the 
number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  502  —  And  upon  sorting 
them  it  Appeared  that  [421.]  only  the  Six  following  Gentelmen 
were  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz* : 

Votes 

The  Honble.  John  Hancock  Esqr.    -     -     - 315 

3  HonWe.  Allen  Otis  Esqr. -  502 

2  HonWe :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 333 

Thoma.s  Daws  Esq1". 502 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr.     --------  502 

HonWe :  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr. 277 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  3.  O'Clock  Afternoon  be  Assigned 
for  the  choice  of  Another  Representative  —  The  Poll  to  be  closed 
^at  4  O  Clock  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Representative  — -  The  Votes  being  brought  in  and 
sorted  the  Number  was  found  to  be  394  — And  that  no  one  of  the 
Persons  Voted  for  had  a  Majority  of  said  Votes  — 

The  Inhabitants  as  directed,  again  withdrew  and  brought  in 
their  Votes  for  a  Representative  — the  Number  of  Votes  429  — 
and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  there  was  no  choice  — 

[422.]  The  Inhabitants  withdrew  again  as  directed,  and  the 
Votes  being  brought  in  the  Number  was  found  to  be  484  —  and 
upon  sorting  the  Votes  it  appeared  that 

Benjamin  Hitchborn  Esq1' : 
was  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes  — 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  and  declared  by  the 
Selectmen,  it  was  moved  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  to  transact 
the  other  Business  mentioned  in  the  Warrant  — 


70 


City  Document. 


The  Inhabitants  were  directed,  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  the  Votes  being  brought 
in  and  sorted  it  appeared  that 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
was  chosen  — 

The  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accompts  of  the  Town  Treasurer 
gave  in  the  following  Report  — 

That  the  Treasurers  Books  are  well  kept,  his  Accots :  well 
Vouched  and  the  Appropriations  made  last  year  has  been  At- 
tended to  — 

By  the  Report  of  the  Committee  last  year  the  Debts  then  due 
from  the  Town  Amounted  to  £17340,  since  which  time,  [423.] 
They  have  been  reduced  About  £1750  had  the  Collectors  paid  in 
all  the  Taxes  that  have  been  granted  those  Debts  would  have 
been  reduced  to  £8825  — 

The  Tax  granted  last  year  was  £10,500  this  with  the  Premium 
for  Collecting  has  been  expended  in  the  year  as  Appears  by  the 
Selectmen  &  Overseers  Drafts  Viz1. 


For  School  Masters  Salarys      -     -     -     -     -     -  £1781 

Repairs  of  the  Schools 77 

Visitation  of     -     -     D° -  49 

Watchmen 652 

Lamps  Oyl  &c       - 320 

Town  Dock       -     -     - 363 

Gravel  &  Labour  on  Neck 100 

Common  &  Beacon  Hill -  168 

Pay  to  the  Assessors 586 

Premium  to  Collectors -  381 

Treasurer  &  Town  Clark 300 

Nazro's  Salary       --- -  50 

Hay  Market 75 

Engines  ---, 10 

Paving 168 

Printers  Acco'.  &  Stationary 101 

Repairs  of  Burying  Places 62 

Ditto  of  Estate  by  Concert  Hall 80 

Lumber  of  Samuel  May  --------  80 

State  Account ....  22 

Contingencies  - 738 

Am0,  of  the  Selectmens  Drafts £6172 

The  Overseers  Drafts  for  the  Support  of  the  \  o-^k 

Poor   --■-■=---. } 

£8917 


10  „  — 
6„  10 

14  „    4 

11  „  5 
6„  5 
6  ,,  7 
7„  10 
5  „     2 

17„     0 

15  „     1 


13 

11  „  7 

13  ,,  7 

3„  3 

11  „  3 

16  „  11 

4,,  8 

11  „  4 

5  „  6 


11  ,,    9 

7,',    4 

19  „     1 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1785.  71 

[424.]  The  whole  of  these  Drafts  have  been  paid  by  the 
Treasurer,  except  £1024  ,,  11  ,,  4  which  Sum  is  in  the  Estimate 
of  the  Debts  now  due  from  the  Town  most  of  the  Money  recd : 
on  the  last  Tax  has  been  paid  by  Messrs :  Bayley  &  Thompson 
had  the  Other  Collectors  Messrs :  Williams  &  Parker  paid  in  tbe 
saine  proportion,  the  whole  of  those  drafts  would  have  been 
paid  — 

The  Debts  that  Appear  to  be  now  due  from  the  Town  (exclusive 
of  the  Demands  from  the  State  &  some  small  Debts,  which  the 
Treasurer  will  be  Able  to  discharge  from  those  due  to  the  Town 
are  as  follows  Viz*.  — 

Notes  for  Money  borrowed  before  the  Year  — 

1775 £1427  ,,  16  ,,    4 

Notes  of  Money  borrowed  since 9647  ,,     6  ,,    4 

Due  to  Sundry  Creditors  before  and  —  since)       iA0^       -i  o         o 
1775   __ |      1(J»y ,,  lo  ,,    6 

Unpaid   of    the    Selectmen    &   Overseers  —  )       .,  Afl .       1  1         . 
Drafts  in  1784 j      l024  "  U  »    4 

Interest  due  on  the  Above  Debts  2400  ,,  7  ,,  9 
suppose — 

£15590  ,,    

besides  these  Debts  there  Appears  to  be  due  to  a  Number  of 
Persons  for  Paper  Money  borrowed,  the  Amount  of  which  can- 
not be  Ascertained  as  no  Application  has  been  made  for  Payment 
nor  any  date  when  received  — 

[425.]  To  discharge  the  Above  Debts  there  Appears  to  be 
due  from  the  several  Collectors  the  following  Sums  Viz* :  — 

From  Francis  Shaw  Esq1" £334  ,,    2  „    6 

James  Thompson  Tax  1783                        £560  ,,  19  „    9\  ,nQ      iq 

=  deduct  £152  „  6/ Premium  -    -------    -/  4Ub  „  id  „    y 

Thomas  Bayley      d°-  402  „  17  „    2  -    -  299  ,,    7      —  103  „  10  „    3 

Benjamin  Sumner  d°-  255  ,,    5  „    4  -    -   181  ,,  10      —  73  ,,  15  ,,    4 

Daniel  Parker          d°-    93  ,,    9  ,,  10       -------  93  „    9  ,,  10 

Alexander  Thomas      439  ,,  13  ,,    7  -    -    -  163  „  16  ,,    9  275  „  16  ,,  10 

£1289  „    8  ,,    6 

due  on  the  last  Town  Tax  1784  viz*- 

From  Thomas  Bayley -     -     1050  „  19  ,,  10 

James  Thompson  ------    1318  ,,  14  ,,    5 

Chas-  Williams  -------    2167  „    6  "    0 

Dan*-  Parker      -------    2259  „  18  ,,    3 

6796  "  18  „    6 
deduct  for  Abatements    ------     1323      

5473  „  18  „    6 

Due  from  the  State  Treasurer  for  the  —  Support  of  )     naAA  -        0 

their  Poor -    -    -       }     2644    »    5 »    8 

£9407  ,,  13  ,,    8 


72       ,  City  Document. 

These  Sums  together  with  the  Rent  o/  the  Market  and  Other 
Buildings  belonging  to  the  Town,  &  Bills  of  New  Emission  re- 
maining in  the  Treasurey  Amounting  to  £3047  ,,  81 — if  Sold  to 
be  Appropriated  to  pay  the  Interest  and  principle  of  the  Towns 
Debts  —  The  Charges  of  the  Year  ensuiug  to  be  paid  out  of  the 
Tax  to  be  raised  for  that  purpose,  but  as  Money  cannot  be  pro- 
cured in  time  [436.]  to  pay  the  immediate  demands  of  the  Over- 
seers, the  Watch  and  the  School  Masters  Salarys  the  Treasurer 
may  be  Allowed  to  pay  the  drafts  on  these  Accounts  out  of  the 
first  Money  he  receives  &  to  replace  the  Same  out  of  the  Money 
received  on  the  Tax  now  to  be  levied.  — 

Besides  the  Above  Sums  due  from  the  present  Collectors,  there 
Appears  to  be  due  from  former  Collectors,  and  others,  not 
brought  into  the  Above  Estimate  as  premiums  may  be  due  to 
some  of  them,  but  these  Accounts  Ought  to  be  immediately 
settled  Viz*.  — 
From  the  Estate  of  John  Ruddock  Esqr.  a  ballce :  — 

Faneuil  Hall  Lotterys £50  ,,  19  ,,  9 

Abraham  Savage  on  a/c  of  Tax  for  1773 —  529  ,,     2  ,,  3 

Benf:  Grays  Estate  — D°.  —  B°.  —  347  ,,  11  ,,  0 

Benja :  Cudworth  for  Taxes  since  ye.  time  31  ,,  11  ,,  9 


It  Appears  by  the  Treasurers  Books  that  several  Sums  have  been 
paid  out  of  the  Treasurey  in  1779.  1780.  &  1781  viz*,  to  Mr. 
Rowe  &  Others  a  Committee  for  purchasing  Grain  ;  To  Col0 : 
Symmes  for  Mileage.  To  Col0.  Crafts  for  Ditto  &  those  Accounts 
still  remain  unsettled  in  the  Treasurers  Books  the  two  last  were 
to  be  reimbursed  by  the  State,  but  it  does  not  Appear  that  the 
Town  have  been  paid  — 

[427.]     The  Rents  of  the  Market  the  last  year  has  not  been 
received  by  the  Treasurer  — 

The  Board  of  War  have  made  a  Demand  on  the  Town  for  About 
£2500  —  the  greatest  part  of  which  is  for  Arms  &c.  delivered  to 
the  Officers  of  Militia,  &  by  them  to  the  Men;  some  of  them 
have  been  returned  to  the  Selectmen,  &  some  are  Missing,  but 
none  of  them  have  been  returned  to  the  Board  of  War  —  if  Money 
can  immediately  be  procured,  these  Arms  can  now  be  purchased 
on  such  Terms  as  would  save  the  Town  upwards  of  £1000  —  It 
likewise  Appears  by  Treasurer  Iver's  Account  that  there  remained 
due  to  the  State  on  the  16th  of  March  from  the  Several  Collectors 
as  follows  Viz* :  — 
From  Abraham  Savage  on  the  Tax  for  Tax  —  \     £(.^      y.        g 

in  1773 J  "        " 

Benf:  Cudworth  d°.  — 1778  -     -     -  681,,     4  ,,  10 

Eight  Men  deficient  on  Class  Tax  @  74  ,,  £  592  ,,  13  ,,    4 

1338  ,,  15  ,,     0 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  73 

Daniel  Parker  Continental  Tax  N°.  2  -  -  -  -  1090  ,,  2  ,,  2 
B.  Sumner  on  Commonwealth  Tax  N°.  3  -  -  -  633  ,,T5  ,,  2 
Alexr.  Thomas  on  Ditto     -     -     -     D°.     -     -     -       504  „    2  „  2 


£2227  ,,  19  ,,  4 

£3566  ,,  14  ,,  9 

As  the  Town  is  Oblidged  to  make  good  all  Arrages  due  to  the 
State  in  case  the  Collectors  fails  And  are  now  paying  Interest  on 
the  Sums  they  Owe  —  your  Committee  are  of  Opinion  that  effec- 
tual Measures  should  be  immediately  taken  to  Oblidge  [438.] 
The  Collectors,  &  all  other  Indebted  to  the  Town  to  pay  their 
respective  Ballances  — 

The  whole  of  the  Tax  granted  last  Year  has  been  expended  for 
Charges  incurred  in  the  Year  the  same  Sum  will  be  necessary  for 
the  Service  of  the  Ensuing  Year,  if  the  Selectmen  can  make  any 
saving  the  Overplus  to  be  Appropriated  to  pay  the  Towns  Debts 

Amount  of  Arreages  due  from  ye.  Collectors  —  Vizt : 
From  Abraham  Savage  on  the  Tax  for 


Town  Treasurer 

State  Treas1- 

Total 

—  Tax  in  1773  -  - 

xOiJ  .^    "ii    *-* 

£64,,  17,,    3 

593,,  19,,  11 

Benja :  Cudworth  - 

-    31„11„    9 

681,,    4,, 10 

712,,  16  „    7 

Benja :  Gray 

-347,,  11 

347,,  11 

Benja :  Sumner  -  - 

-    73,,15„    4 

633  ,,15,,    2 

707,,  10,,    6 

Alexr :  Thomas  -  - 

-275,,  16,,  10 

504,,    2,,    2 

779,,  19  — 

Daniel  Parker  -  -  - 

■  2028,,  18,,    4 

1090,,    2,,    2 

qiin 

On  the  Class  Tax 

592,,  13,,,    4 

592, ,13.     4 

3566,,  14,,    9 
Charls :  Williams  -  1842  ,,  16  ,,    0    on  last  Tax       1842  ,,  16  ,,  — 
James  Thompson  -    408,,  13,,    9&994,,    4,,    5   1402,,  18,,    2 
Thomas  Bayley  -  -     103,,  10,,    2&726.     9  ,,  10  -  830. ■ 


£10929,,  4,,  9 
Upwards  of  £1300  —  of  these  Arrages  are  already  lost  to  the 
Town  as  neither  the  Collectors  nor  their  Bondsmen  are  able  to 
make  Payment  &  more  may  be  lost  if  not  speedilly  Attende  to  — 

Edward  Payne  ^  Order 

Ihe  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  and  considered  — 

[429.]  Voted,  unanimously,  that  the  Report  be  Accepted, 
and  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given  to  said 
Committee  for  their  good  services  therein  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that 

John  Gardiner  Esqr. 
Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 
Benjamin  Hitchborn  Esq1". 


74  City  Document. 

be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Report  and  to  Report  to  the 
Town  What  is  expedient  to  be  done  thereon  - — 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  next  3.  O'Clock  Afternoon  — 

Thursday  the  12th  Day  of  May  1785  —  3'  OClock  P  :  M  :  Met 
according  to  Adjournment 

The  Petition  of  Nathaniel  Cobbit  read  and  after  debate  it  was 
moved  &  Voted  that  he  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition 

The  Petition  of  Cap* :  John  Ballard  was  read,  also  the  Report 
of  the  Committee  relative  to  Faneuil  Hall  Market  —  and  after 
debate  had  thereon  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Petitioner 
have  leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition  — 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  relative  to  ttie 
North  Chocolate  Mills  —  read,  whereupon  — 

[430.]     Voted,  that  Samuel  Barret  Esqr. 

Thomas  Daws  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  R.  Sigorney 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Petition  and  to  Report  at  the 
Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town  will  make 
provision  for  the  Building  one  or  more  Schools  for  the  further 
Accommondation  of  youth"  was  read,  whereupon 

Voted,  that  John  Lucas  Esqr. 

John  Switcher  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

Christ1.  Core  — Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Tuckerman 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  Articles  and  to  report  as  soon  as 
may  be  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  What  Measures  shall  be 
taken  relative  to  the  North  Battery."  read  and  considered,  where- 
upon 

Voted,  that  the  Gentelmen  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are 
Authorised  and  impowered  to  make  Sale  of  the  North  Battery 
with  the  Lands  &  Flats  Adjoining  for  the  most  the  same  will 
fetch  with  this  restriction  that  the  Materials  be  not  removed  off 
the  Land 

[431.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that 
Dr.  Charles  Jarvis 
Samuel  Barret  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  75 

John  C  Jones 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Thomas  Daws  Junr.  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  prepare  Instructions  for  the  Gentelmen  who 
Represent  this  Town  in  the  General  Court  the  present  Year  —  to 
make  Report  at  the  Adjournment  of 

The  Petition  relative  to  Fire  Office  Insurance  Company  was 
referred  to  the  Gentelmen  Fire  Wards  for  the  present  year,  for 
their  consideration  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

The  Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  having  declined  serving  as  a 
Fire  Ward  —  on  a  Motion 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  &  hereby  are  given 
him  for  his  faithfull  &  Judicial  services  as  a  Fire  Ward  a  number 
of  Years  past 

The  Committee  relative  to  the  South  Battery  Report  as  fol- 
lows —  Viz*. 

The  Committee  Appoint'd  in  August  last  "to  consider  what 
Measures  the  Town  will  take  respecting  their  Land  [432.]  on 
which  the  South  Battery  stands  and  the  Land  Adjacent "  beg 
leave  to  Report 

That  they  have  Attended  the  business  Assigned  them  —  have 
heard  the  Plea  of  the  Honble :  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr.  respecting 
his  Title  to  the  Land  on  which  said  Battery  stands  —  have  ex- 
amined the  Records  of  the  Town  &  the  Report  of  Committees 
relative  to  said  Lands,  and  Advise  that  the  Town  give  a  Quit 
Claim  Deed  to  the  Honble ;  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr.  of  the  Land  on 
which  the  Spermaictia  Works  stand,  and  the  Wharf  &  Flats 
property  belonging  to  the  same  in  the  Judgement  of  the  Select- 
men, on  Condition  that  the  said  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr :  relinquish 
to  the  Town  all  the  Right  &  Title  which  he  supposes  he  has  to 
every  other  part  of  said  South  Battery.  The  Committee  also 
Advise  that  the  Town  impower  the  Selectmen  to  sell  at  public 
Auction  or  at  private  Sale  the  remaining  part  of  said  Lands  Viz* : 
All  the  Land  between  said  Spermacite  Works  &  Mr.  Rows 
Wharff  with  all  priviledges  and  Appurtenances  belonging  to  the 
same.  —  also  all  the  Land  Adjacent  belonging  to  the  Town  and 
to  give  good  and  Sufficient  Deeds  to  the  Purchaser  in  the  Name 
and  behalf  of  the  Town 

[433.]  Caleb  Davis 

J  Henshaw 
major  part  of  the  Committee 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  considered,  the 
Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether  this  Report  shall  be  Accepted 
—  Passed  in  the  Affermative 


76  City  Document. 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  next  being  the  19th  of  May  Ins*:  3. 
O'Clock  P:  M:  — 

Thursday  the  19th  Day  of  May  1785  3.  O'Clock  P:  M:  Met 
According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Selectmen  having  Acquainted  the  Inhabitants  that  Joseph 
Barrel  Esqr :  had  generously  given  the  Town  a  Deed  of  a  Piece 
of  Land  of  twelve  feet  six  Inches  leading  from  Dock  Square  to 
the  Revd.  Mr :  Thatchers  Church —  . 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  unto  Joseph  Barrel  Esqr.  for  said  Donation,  whereby  a  narrow 
tho.'  much  frequented  Passage  way  will  be  inlearged  to  the  better 
accommodation  —  and  safety  of  the  Inhabitants 

The  Committee  to  prepare  Instruction  for  the  Grentelmen  who 
Represent  this  Town  in  the  General  Court,  Reported  a  Draught, 
[434.]  which  being  read  &  considered  Perageraph  two  was 
amended  and  accepted  by  the  Town 

To  HonWe :  John  Hancock  Esqr.  Honble :  Samuel  Allyne  Otis 
Esqr :  Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr :  Thomas  Daws  Esqr :  Samuel 
Brick  Esqr.  Honble :  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr :  Benjamin  Hitchborn 
Esqr.  — 

Gentelmen. 

It  is  not  from  any  distrust  either 
of  your  Zeal  or  Abilities  that  we  have  thought  proper  to  give  you 
our  Instructions  on  some  of  the  many  important  Objects  which 
must  arrest  your  Attention  in  the  Approaching  Assembly  of  the 
State ;  on  the  Other  hand  we  are  fully  persuaded  that  no  Exer- 
tions on  your  part  will  be  wanting  to  promote  the  true  Interest  of 
this  Town,  as  well  as  that  of  the  Community  at  large,  but  at  so 
important  a  period  we  wish  to  Afford  you  our  suport  and  Assist- 
ance under  the  thorough  conviction  that  nothing  short  of  our, 
united  Effects,  can  perfict  or  secure  the  Blessings  of  Peace  & 
Independance  — 

During  the  Danger  &  Calamites  of  War  we  were  led  naturally 
to  expect  that  the  return  of  Peace  would  have  brought  with  it 
Prosperity  as  well  as  Safety  Depending  on  this,  too  much  has 
been  left  to  the  uncertainty  [435.]  of  Chance,  where  the  Wis- 
dom of  the  Laws  or  the  Obligations  of  Treaty,  might  have  been 
Applied  with  Advantage. — To  this  unfortunate  Defect  of  Sys- 
tem in  the  Public  Conduct  it  has  been  owing,  that  the  greatest 
part  of  our  circulating  Medium  has  been  exchanged  for  British 
Luxuries,  that  our  Trade  has  been  so  unequal,  and  unproductive, 
&  that  most  of  the  means  of  remittance  wether  directe,  or  cir- 
cuitous have  been  cloged  by  Alien  Taxes,  &  Restrictions,  or  else 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  77 

totally  excluded  in  foreign  Ports :  And  in  Addition  to  this 
ruinous  situation,  we  find  the  Agents  and  Factors  of  British  Mer- 
chants Assidiously  gleaning  the  Remains  of  our  Money  &  thret- 
ining  a  Monopely  of  the  whole  Trade  —  Thus  between  the  Artifice 
of  Forreign  Individuals,  &  the  Policy  of  their  Government  are  our 
Citizens  impoverished  &  the  Country  most  essentiallv  injured  — 

If  these  were  the  Only  Difficulties  that  Demanded  your  Atten- 
tion, our  Complaints  would  be  less  Urgent,  but  our  Carrying 
Trade  that  great  Nursary  of  Seamen  and  one  of  the  Principle 
Sources  of  National  Strength  &  Opulence  is  menaced  with  An- 
nihilation ;  With  ample  Internal  resources  &  place  it  on  a  respect- 
able [436.]  Footing.  We  have  with  the  most  passive  Indeferance 
seen  the  Ships  of  Other  Countrys  but  of  the  British  in  particular 
crowding  our  Ports  with  all  the  Advantages  of  our  own,  at  the 
same  time  that  the  Navigation  of  these  States  is  in  their  Har- 
bours either  restrained,  or  subjected  to  the  Several  Exactions. 

As  the  Encouragement  &  Protection  of  our  Fisheries  are  Ob- 
jects of  primary  Concern,  we  are  Alarmed  at  finding  the  Indus- 
trious &  hardy  Seamen  of  this  Commonwealth  decoyed  into 
British  service  and  contributing  to  errect  a  rival  Establishment 
on  the  Ruin  of  our  Wale  Fishery  — 

We  most  earnestly  wish  to  see  the  internal  Trade  of  these 
Several  States  in  the  Union  fixed  and  confirmed  on  principles  of 
the  most  perfect  equality  by  such  Policy,  one  great  Cause  of 
Jealousy  and  Dissention  will  be  removed  ;  and  it  is  under  God 
on  the  Harmoney  &  Coincidence  of  the  several  parts  of  our  Con- 
federacy that  the  general  Happiness  and  Security  must  depend  — 

In  a  Country  where  the  real  Wants  of  the  Inhabitants  may  be 
generally  supplied  by  their  own  Industry  we  are  Anxious  to  turn 
the  Attention  of  Government  to  the  encouragement  of  Agriculture 
and  to  the  present  reduced  and  declining  State  of  many  of  our 
[437.]  Manufactures;  the  relief  &  Protection  of  which  are 
Objects  of  the  most  extensive  Utility 

The  State  of  Public  Credit  on  every  principal  demands  the 
Closest  Application  ;  When  an  Appropriated  Revenue  derived  from 
the  Commodities  &  Luxuries  of  other  Countries  might  have  pre- 
served &  perpetuated  our  National  Faith,  a  total  neglect  of  this 
Salutary  expedient  has  already  been  productive  of  Injury  &  Dis- 
honour to  the  Government  &  of  Distress  &  Oppression  to  the 
Public  Creditors ;  Policy  as  well  as  Justice  then  unite  to  dem- 
onstrate necesity  of  some  permanent  &  National  Establishment 
on  this  important  Subject  When  thus  engaged  Gentelmen  you 
cannot  fail  to  recollect  that  as  Economy  in  our  private  Expendi- 
tures is  one  of  the  Cardinal  Virtues  of  a  Republic,  the  Prevalence 
of  Luxury  &  Dissipation  should  be  watched  throughout  the  Com- 


78  City  Document. 

monwealth  &  by  progressive  Excises  be  rendred  tributary  to  the 
State  — 

But  G-entelmen  while  we  recomend  these  Circumstances  to  your 
Consideration,  and  while  we  contemplate  some  of  the  numerous 
Difficulties  of  our  present  situation,  we  look  in  vain  for  a  [438.] 
Power  in  the  Government  Adequate  to  their  removal ;  For  it  is 
Politically  impossible,  from  our  different  views  and  local  Attach- 
ments that  there  should  be  either  concert  or  Decision  on  great 
National  Questions,  as  the  measures  of  any  Single  State  will 
probably  be  opposed  &  defeated  by  those  of  its  Neighbours  till 
at  length  the  Fabric  of  our  Confederacy  by  internal  Dissention, 
may  be  convulsed  and  subverted  — 

To  correct  these  Evils  and  to  Add  Dignity  &  Efficiency  to  the 
Federal  Government  your  Constituents  are  anxiously  Solicitous 
to  see  the  Congress  invested  with  Power  competent  to  our  com- 
mon necessities,  to  the  Regulation  of  our  Commerce  and  to  the 
Adjustment  and  discharge  of  the  Public  Debt,  and  in  order  to 
this  we  enjoin  upon  you  to  exert  your  utmost  influence  with  the 
Legislature  to  request  the  Suprem  Executive,  to  open  a  Corres- 
pondence with  the  Supreme  Executive  of  the  Other  States  to 
concert  the  means  of  National  Unanimity  &  exertion  for  it  is 
from  their  Influence  that  we  have  derived  our  freedom,  &  it  is  to 
them  alone  that  we  must  be  indebted  for  the  improvement  and 
Extention  of  its  Blessings  — 

The  Committee  to  consider  the  Report  of  the  Committee  to 
Audit  Town  [439.]  Treasurers  Accounts  Reported  and  After 
some  consideration  of  said  Report,  it  was  recommitted  for  Amend- 
ments — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next  3'  O  :  Clock  Afternoon  — 

Monday  23d  of  May  3  'OClock  P  :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjourn- 
ment — 

The  Inhabitants  as  directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for  one 
Fir  Ward,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared,  that 

Col0  :  John  May 
was  chosen  a  Fire  Ward  for  the  year  ensuing 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration  of  the 
Petition  of  a  Number  of  Gentelmen  for  being  Incorporated  as  a 
Fire  Insurance  having  met  several  times  and  considered  said 
Proposal  Give  it  as  their  Opinion,  that  it  will  not  be  for  the 
Advantage  of  the  Town,  that  such  an  Institution  should  be 
established  — 

William  Cooper  "^  Order 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered  —  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  79 

Question  was  put   ' '  Whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted ' '  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

[440.]  The  Committee  Appointed  the  12th  Inst*:  to  take 
into  consideration  the  expediency  of  erecting  one  or  more  new 
Schools  —  Report  — 

They  have  Attended  that  Business  and  in  order  to  obtain  the 
best  information  they  on  Tuesday  last  made  a  visit  to  the  several 
Schools  in  Town,  and  find  as  follows 

Present  more 

At  Mr.  Vinals     -    .-     -     -     -  119  will  Accomodate    -     -     -     81 
At  Mr.  Cheneys  -     -     -     -     -     81  -  -  ditto      -----     19 

100 
Master  Carters    .     -     -     -     -   150  -  -  full  -  -   - 

Mr.  Tileston  -     -     -     -     -     -150  wants  room  for  18 


Visited  Mr.  Hunts  School-     -     52  will  contain  100 

Master  Davis    -     -     -     12  ditto  -     -     -     -  100 

Upon  the  whole  your  Committee  are  of  Opinion  from  the  best 
information  they  can  obtain  that  the  present  Writing  Schools 
taken  Collectively,  will  Admit  of  80  more  Scholars  and  that  it  is 
not  necessary  for  the  Town  to  erect  any  more  Schools  at  present 
all  which  is  submitted  — 

John  Lucas  ^  Order 

The  foregoing  Report,  having  been  read  &  considered  —  your 
Committee  think  it  necessary  that  no  Children  be  Admitted  to  a 
Writing  School  under  7  years  of  Age,  and  that  the  Selectmen  be 
requested  to  give  such  Instructions  to  the  Masters  and  that  they 
Govern  themselves  accordingly  —  [441.]  The  Question  was 
put  —  Whether  the  same  shall  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the 
Affirmative  — 

The  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Sundry  Inhabitants  respect- 
ing the  Danger  to  which  the  Town  is  exposed  by  the  several 
Chocolate  Mills  Erected  within  the  same,  beg  leave  on  careful 
Examination  thereof  to  Report  the  following  Vote  for  their  con- 
sideration —  Viz*.  — 

Whereas  a  certain  Act  made  &  passed  in  the  4th  Year  of  the 
Reign  of  William  &  Mary,  intittled  and  Act  for  Building  with 
Brick  or  Stone  in  the  Town  of  Boston  &  for  preventing  Fire  ' ' 
and  an  Act  in  Addition  thereto,  made  &  passed  in  the  11th 
Year  of  the  same  Reign  have  been  found  ineffectual  to  the  Sal- 
utary purposes  thereof  —  inasmuch  as  Wooden  Chocolate  Mills 
have  notwithstanding  been,  erected  with  Machines  for  rosting 
Cocoa,   under  Circumstances    hazardous    to   the   Dwellings    and 


80  City  Document. 

Persons  of  the  Inhabitants,  and  Fires,  have  in  fact  more  than 
once  happened  thereby  —  Therefore  the  Town  taking  the  Prom- 
isses  into  consideration  Agree,  and  it  is  accordingly  —  Voted, 
That  the  Selectmen  prevent  [present?]  on  behalf  of  the  Town  a 
Petition  to  the  General  Court  at  their  next  Session  praying  for 
leave  to  bring  in  a  Bill  for  preventing  under  [442.]  sufficient 
penalty,  such  use  of  the  said  Buildings  &  Machines  in  the  Neigh- 
bourhood of  other  Buildings,  and  directing  also  under  penalty 
such  Buildings  &  Machines  to  be  constructed,  if  erected  in  such 
a  manner  &  with  Brick  &  Stones  as  to  prevent  the  Danger  inci- 
dent to  their  present  situation  &  Construction  —  all  which  is 
humbly  submitted 

Samuel  Barret  f^  Order 

The  foregoing  Vote  having  been  read  &  considered  —  the 
Question  was  put  —  Whether  the  same  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in 
the  Affirmative 

The  Committee  relative  to  Fire  Wood,  Reported  which  Report 
being  read;  it  was  Moved  &  Voted  —  that  the  same  be  recom- 
mitted, &  the  Committee  are  requested  to  make  enquirey  whether 
there  is  not  a  law  or  Laws  still  in  force  for  the  purpose  mentioned 
in  said  Report 

Voted,  that  John  Lucas  Esq1. 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  excus'd 

Cap*.  Amasa  Davis 

John  Swatser  Esq1". 

John  C  Jones  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Jur.  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  what  Salaries  shall  be  Allowed  the 
School  Masters  &  other  [443.]  Servants  of  "the  Town,  and  the 
Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  by  the  Town  to  defrey  the  Charges 
of  the  present  Year  &  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that 

William  Storey  Esqr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Deming 

Mr.  John  Vinal 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  and  Report  what  is  necessary  to  be 
done  relative  to  the  Dogs  in  this  Town,   and  to  Report  at  the 
Adjournment  — 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  the  2  of  June  3.  OClock  Afternoon  — 

Thursday  the  2d  of  June  1785  3.  O  Clock  P:  M:  Met  Ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

Col0.  Daws  the  Moderator  not  being  Able  to  attend  — 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 
was  chosen  by  a  Hand  Vote,  Moderator  Pro.  Tern. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  81 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  the  Town  at  their  last  Meeting 
on  the  lO141  of  this  present  Month  May  "  to  consider  the  Report 
of  the  Committee  Appointed  to  Audit  the  Accompts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer  and  to  Report  to  the  Town  what  is  expedient  to  be 
done  thereon  "  have  duly  and  Carefully  Attended  to  that  Business, 
&  accordingly  now  Report 

[444.]  That  they  fully  Approve  of  the  perspicuous  and 
Judicious  Report  of  that  Committee  of  Auditors,  and  conceive 
the  same  to  be  so  important  and  interesting  to  the  Town  that 
material  Advantage  may  result  from  having  the  same  faithfully 
entered  at  large  upon  the  Towns  Books  as  a  Memorial  of  the 
present  Town  Debts,  and  how  the  same  has  Arisen,  and  to  which 
recourse  may  be  had  hereafter,  if  occasion  should  so  require ; 
wherefore  your  Committee  beg  leave  to  recomend,  that  the 
same  may  be  ordered  so  to  be  entered  — 

That  it  Appears  from  such  Report  of  those.  Auditors,  that  all 
the  Town  Collectors  of  the  Taxes  excepting  James  Thompson 
and  Thomas  JBayley  are  Deafulters,  and  that  two  of  such  Col- 
lectors are  greatly  in  Arrears  to  the  Town,  one  of  them  about 
£3000,  the  other  above  £1800,  and  that  three  Others  of  such  Col- 
lectors are  respectively  Defaulters  to  the  Town  for  several  Sums 
none  of  which  are  so  small  as  seven  hundred  pounds.  — 

That  they  Agree  with  the  Auditors  aforesaid  that  the  Accounts 
with  the  Estate  of  the  late  John  Ruddock  Esqr.  deceased,  and 
with  the  several  other  Persons  and  Estates  specified  in  the  report 
of  such  your  Auditor's  the  several  ballances  of  which  is  stated  in 
such  their  [445.]  Report  make  up  in  the  Aggregate  the  Sum  of 
£959  ,,  5  ,,  2  — ought  to  be  immediately  settled  and  closed,  the 
same  in  the  Opinion  of  this  Committee  having  been  too  long  left 
Open  — 

That  they  submit  to  the  Consideration  of  the  Town,  whether  a 
Committee  for  settling  and  closing  the  same  forthwith  ought  not 
be  chosen  and  invested  with  full  power  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
the  Treasurer  be  directed  to  sue  for  and  recover  the  several  Bal- 
lances which  upon  final  settlement  may  Appear  to  be  due  to  the 
Town,  in  case  the  same  cannot  without  delay,  be  called  in  and 
received  in  some  easier  and  less  expensive  mode,  And  that  such 
Committee  do  duly  report  their  proceedings  therein  to  the  Town 
at  such  time  or  times  as  the  Town  shall  see  fit  to  order  and 
direct  — 

That  the  same  Committee  be  also  impowered  to  call  upon  John 
Rowe  Esqr.  and  the  Other  members  of  the  Committee  Appointed 
for  purchasing  Grain  in  1779.  in  1780  —  and  in  1781  — and  who 
are  particularly,  Named  in  such  the  report  of  your  Auditors,  and 
they  Adjust  and  settle  those  Accounts  likewise  with  all  convenient 


82  City  Document. 

speed,  and  report  their  doings  thereon  also  to  the  Town  at  such 
time  or  times  as  the  Town  shall  order  or  Appoint  for  that  pur- 
pose— 

[446.]  That  as  it  Appears  from  the  aforesaid  Report  of 
your  Auditors  of  the  Accounts  of  your  Town  Treasurer  all  your 
Collectors  of  Taxes  (excepting  James  Thompson  and  Thomas 
Bay  ley)  are  greatly  in  Arrears,  and  that  two  of  them  in  particu- 
lar are  defaulters  for  very  Large  Sums.  It  is  submitted  by  your 
Committee  whether  the  Town  Treasurer  should  not  be  ordered 
immediatley  to  Isue  Executions  against  all  the  Delequents  to 
compel  payment  without  delay  of  all  arrears  except  the  last  Tax, 
for  the  collecting  of  which  never,  the  less,  only  Six  Months  from 
this  day  shall  be  allowed,  at  the  expiration  of  which  Period,  if 
the  same  be  not  then  duly  Accounted  for  to  the  Town  Treasurer, 
that  he  be  directed,  to  issue  Executions  against  all  such  as  then 
shall  be  found  in  default  in  order  to  ease  the  Inhabitants  from 
paying  two  Taxes  instead  of  one  — 

J.  Gardiner  ^  Order 

The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  and  considered,  the 
Question  was  put  Viz*.  Whether  the  Report  be  Accepted  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  —  Also  Voted, 

That  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  settle  the  Accounts,  & 
other  Matters  recommended  in  the  proceeding  Report  — 

[447.]  The  Committee  Appointed  to  consider  of  the  danger 
the  People  at  large  are  continually  exposed  to,  by  the  large  num- 
ber of  Dogs,  going  at  large  in  this  Town,  have  attended  that  ser- 
vice—  And  as  many  Persons,  not  only  in  the  Town,  but  in  other 
parts  of  this  Commonwealth,  have  been  bit  by  that  Animal,  and 
some  have  lost  their  lives,  &  others  in  great  Danger  —  therefore 
your  Committee  apprehend  it  of  great  consequence  to  the  People, 
at  large  that  some  effectual  method  be  taken  to  prevent,  the  grow- 
ing evil  complained  of  — 

Your  Committee  do  therefore  propose  to  the  Inhabitants  that 
they  would  give  Instructions  to  their  Committee  now  revising  the 
By  Laws  of  this  Town  to  Frame  a  Law  respecting  Dogs  that  are 
or  may  be  among  us 

Wm :  Storey  f  Order 

The  aforegoing  Report  as  amended  in  this  Meeting  was  ac- 
cepted by  the  Town  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that 

John  Gardner 
Thomas  Daws  Junr.  Esqr. 
be  added  to  the  Committee  for  revising  the  By  Laws,  and  that 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  83 

said  Committee  be  desired  to  Report  a  Law  relative  to  Dogs  as 
soon  as  may  be  — 

[448 •]  The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Salaries 
&c  —  referred  over  to  the  Adjournment  for  consideration  —  and 
the  Town  Clerk  is  to  Notify  in  the  News  Papers  that  all  Money 
Matters  are  then  to  be  Acted  upon  — 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  the  9th  of  June  Ins*.  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 
then  to  Meet  at  Faneuil  Hall  — 

Thursday  the  9th.  Day  of  June  3'OClock  in  the  Afternoon  met 
according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  for  revising  the  By  Laws  are  desired  to  Report 
one  relative  to  Dogs  at  the  General  Town  Meeting  —  also 

Moved  &  Voted,  that 

Dr.  Charles  Jarvis 
Dr.  John  Warren 
be  Added  to  said  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Salaries  and  the  Sum 
necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  service  of  the  present  Year  — 
again  read  and  considered  and  the  Question  put  Whether  said 
Report  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

[449.]  Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  &  thirty 
Pounds  be  allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary 
as  Master  of  the  South  G-rammer  School  the  present  year  the 
same  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last  and  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  &  thirty  Pounds  be  Al- 
lowed and  paid  unto  Mr :  Nathan  Davis  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  North  G-rammer  School  the  present  year,  the  same  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  commence  from 
the  first  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  Mr.  John  Tyleston  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of  the 
North  Writing  School  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  commence  from  the  first 
of  March  last 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  Allowed  and 
paid  unto  Mr.  James  Carter  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of  the  Writ- 
ing School  in  Queen  Street  the  present  year  the  same  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from  the 
first  of  March  last  — 


84  City  Document. 

[450.]  Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  al- 
lowed &  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Vinal  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of 
the  Writing  School  in  the  Common  the  present  year,  the  same  to 
be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence 
from  the  first  of  March  last 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of  the 
Southermost  Writing  School  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  commence  from 
the  first  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  the  North  Writing 
School  be  allow 'd  for  House  Rent  the  present  year  the  Sum  of 
Forty  Pounds  the  Same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  Master  of  the  North  Grammer 
School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the  Sum  of 
Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due,  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last — 

[451.]  Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Vinal  Master  of  the  Writing 
School  in  the  Common  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present 
year  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly 
as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March 
last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  Master  of  the  Writing  School 
in  Plasant  Street  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year 
the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as 
it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March 
last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  be  allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of  One 
hundred  &  fifty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Treasurer  the  present 
Year  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due, 
and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds  for  his  services  in  that  office  as  Town 
Clerk,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due 
and  to  commence  from  the  first  of  March  last 

[453.]  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  provide 
Ushers  for  the  publick  Schools  where  they  shall  think  necessary, 
and  to  allow  Adequate  Salaries  therefor,  not  exceeding  one  half 
of  what  the  Several  Masters  have  Already  had  Voted  them  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  one  Shilling  and  Six  pence  ^  Day  be 


Boston  Town  Recobds,  1785.  85 

allowed  by  the  Selectmen  to  the  Assessors  in  Addition  to  the  Seven 
Shillings  &  Six  Pence,  Voted,  for  them  in  March  last  for  their 
Services  the  present  Year 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  be  raised  by  a 
Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Poles  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Town  to  defray  the  Charges  of  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  Things  which  remain  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Meeting  that 
may  be  called  then  to  be  Acted  upon 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


[453.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
Publick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday 
the  4th  Day  of  July  Anno  Domini  1785  — 10  O  :  Clock  in  the 
Forenoon  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for  a  Moder- 
ator as  directed  by  the  Selectmen  and  the  same  having  been 
sorted,  it  appeared  that 

The  Honble :  John  Hancock  Esqr :  was  chosen  Moderator  of 
this  Meeting  unanimously 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  the  Town  the  5th.  of  July  last  to 
Apply  to  a  Proper  Gentelman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4  of 
July  Instant  (in  such  place  as  the  Town  shall  determine  to  be 
most  convenient  for  the  purpose)  it  being  a  Day  ever  Memorable 
in  the  Annals  of  this  Country  for  the  Declaration  of  our  Inde- 
pendance 

Reported, 

That  they  had  made  choice  of  John  Gardiner  Esq1",  to  deliver 
an  Oration  on  the  4th  of  July  Instant,  who  had  accordingly  Ac- 
cepted of  that  service  — 

The  Town  having  taken  into  consideration  when  and  where, 
would  be  the  best  time  &  place  to  have  the  Oration  pronounced 

Voted,  that  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Chappel  at  12 
O'Clock  leave  having  been  Obtained  therefor  — 

[454.]     Voted,  that  John  Brown  Esqr. 
John  Andrews 
William  Cunningham 


86  City  Document. 

be  a  Committee  to  waite  on  John  Gardiner  Esqr :  &  Acquaint 
him  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Town,  that  the  Oration  may  be 
delivered  at  the  Chappel  at  12.  O.  Clock 

Then  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  12.  OClock,  then  to  Meet 
at  the  Chappel  — 

12  O.  Clock  Met  at  the  Chappel  according  to  Adjournment  — 

AN  ORATION 

To  commemorate  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  was  delivered  by  John  Gardiner  Esqr :  at  the  Stone 
Chappel  Church  to  a  large  &  crowded  Assembly  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the 
Selectmen 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  on  John  Gard- 
iner Esqr :  and  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the 
learned  &  elegant  Oration  this  Day  delivered  by  him  at  the 
request  of  the  Town  upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independance 
of  United  States  of  America  in  which  according  to  the  Intention 
of  the  Town,  he  considered  the  feelings  Manners  and  principles 
which  lead  to  that  great  National  Event  —  And  to  request  of  him 
a  Copy  thereof  for  the  Press 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the 
Gentelmen  the  Selectmen 
be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  Apply  to  some  one 
Learned  and  Able  Gentelman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th  of 
July  1786.  that  Day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independance 
of  the  United  States  of  America,  wherein  the  Orator  is  to  con- 
sider [455.]  the  feelings,  Manners,  and  principles  which  lead 
to  this  great  National  Event  as  well  as  the  important  &  happy 
effects  whether  general  or  domestic,  which  have  Already  and  will 
forever  continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Fryday  the  2d  Day  Sep- 
tember Anno  Domini  1785  —  3  O'Clock  Afternoon  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  -  -  -  -  read 

Thomas  Daws  Esq1' : 
chosen,  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  by  a  Hand  Vote 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  87 

The  Committee  to  Revise  the  By  Laws  of  this  Town  not  being 
ready  to  Report,  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  said  Committee  be 
desired  to  Attend  that  Business  immediately  ;  and  Report  at  the 
Adjournment 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant,  Viz* :  To  consider  the  Applica- 
tion of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  for  Widening  the  Street 
leading  from  Faneuil  Hall  to  State  Street,"  was  read  —  where- 
upon Voted, 

That,  Mr.  William  Powell 

Mr.  Brown 

Mr.  Miller 
be  a  Committee  to  Confer  with  Mr.  Wendell  &  Mr.  Tisdell  rela- 
tive to  the  Land  to  be  given  for  the  enlargement  of  the  Street  & 
to  Report  immediately 

The  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr :  Tisdale  gave  in  his  proposals 
in  writing,  which  are  as  follows.  Viz*. 

[456.]  Boston  September  2*  1785— This  is  to  Certify  that 
I  Will  engage  to  give  to  the  Town  as  much  of  my  Land  as  to  range 
from  the  North  Corner  of  my  Store  to  the  Store  belonging  to  the 
Town  now  occupied  by  Mr.  Henry  Prentice  ;  that  is  on  considera- 
tion Mr :  Wendell's  Store  is  set  back  on  the  same  line  as  is  above 
mentioned  or  in  range  with  Mr.  Austin's  Store  — 

Judge  Wendell  Appeared  in  the  Meeting  &  declared  to  the 
Inhabitants  his  rediness  to  give  in  for  widining  the  Street,  the 
Land  allowed  for  by  Mr.  Scollay,  on  condition  that  he  receives 
for  the  same  the  Sum  that  three  Gentelmen  mutually  chosen 
shall  determine  to  be  reasonable  for  the  Expence  of  taking  down 
&  repairing  the  front  Wall  of  his  Store  which  proposals  were 
Approved  of  and  Accepted  by  the  Town  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz* :  "To  consider  what  improve- 
ment shall  be  made  of  the  Building  on  the  East  End  of  Market 
Square  "  —  was  read,  and  after  debate  it  was 

Voted,  that'  it  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  to  make  such  improve- 
ment of  said  Building  for  a  Market  as  they  shall  Judge  to  be 
most  for  the  interest  of  the  Town  — 

The  Petition  of  Benjamin  Sumner  Junr.  for  an  abatement  of 
Taxes  was  read  &  after  debate  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  said 
Petition  together  with  the  request  of  the  Collectors  be  referred  to 
the  Assessors,  for  them  to  Act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge 
proper 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Mr.  John  Ballard  late 
Clerk  of  Faneuil  Market  'was  read  &  considered  —  whereupon 


88  -      City  Document. 

moved  &  Voted,  that  this  Report  be  Accepted  [457.]  and  that 
the  same  together  with  the  other  Papers  &  Mr.  Ballard  Account 
in  the  Hands  of  the  Selectmen  be  referred  to  them  for  a  final 
Settlement,  provided  Mr.  Ballard  shall  do  and  perform  what  the 
Selectmen  may  Judge  necessary  on  his  part  for  the  receving  of 
the  Market  Debts  yet '  outstanding  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that 

John  Sweetser 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
be  Added  to  the  Committee  to  consider  what  Money  is  still  due 
to  David  Jeffries  Esqr.  late  Town  Treasurer,  they  to  Report  at 
the  Adjournemenent 

Adjourned  To  Fryday  the  16th  Day  of  September  Inst:  3. 
O'Clock  Afternoon  — 

Fryday  the  16th  September  3  O'Clock  P :  M  :  Met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  for  revising  the  By  Laws  not  being  ready  to 
Report  —  The  Town  came  into  the  following  Vote  —  Viz* :  — 

Whereas  it  Appears  to  the  Town  that  the  Committee  Appointed 
to  revise  the  By  Laws  of  the  Town,  consist  of  a  Number  much 
too  large  and  that  the  G-entelmen  composing  said  Committee  by 
reason  of  their  Publick  ingagements  in  addition  to  their  necessary 
private  avocations,  will  not  probably  be  able  to  compleat  the 
business  in  any  reasonable  time  [458.]  without  injury  either  to 
the  Publick  or  Others  therefore 

Voted,  That  the  Members  of  said  Committee  be  and  hereby 
are  excused  from  any  further  service  relative  to  the  said  Affair 
also 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  revise  the  By  Laws 
of  the  Town,  and  such  Additions  or  alterations  as  may  be  Judged 
proper,  the  same  to  be  laid  before  the  Town  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esq1-. 
Joseph  Greenleaff  Esqr. 
Honble:  James, Sullivan  Esqr. 
Honble:  Robert  T.  Payne  Esqr. 
John  Gardner  Esq1', 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  ' '  To  consider  whether  Ap- 
plication shall  be  made  to  the  General  Court  for  their  impowering 
Benjamin  Henderson  to  Collect  the  Outstanding  Taxes  due  to 
Abraham  Savage  a  late  Collector"  —  was  read  —  whereupon  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  89 

Voted,  that  Application  be  made  to  the  General  Court  to  irn- 
power  Benjamin  Henderson  to  Collect  the  Outstanding  Debtes 
committed  to  Mr.  Abraham  Savage  to  Collect  for  the  Year  1772 
&  1773,  also, 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  Authorised  and  impowered  to 
make  Application  accordingly 

[459.]  The  present  Committee  on  the  late  Town  Treasurers 
Accompts,  are  desired  to  make  Report  relative  to  the  Sum  due  to 
him  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

That  Clause  in  the  Warr* :  Viz*.  "Whether  the  Town  will  en- 
large the  Premium  to  the  first  Engine  at  a  Fire  "  —  was  read  & 
considered — whereupon  Voted,  that  said  Premium  be  enlarged 
from  thirteen  shillings  &  4d.  to  twenty  shillings  lawful  Money  — 

The  Petition  of  Mr.  Peter  Edes  "praying  an  Allowance  on 
Paper  and  Printing  the  Proceedings  of  the  Merchants  Traders  & 
Others  of  the  Town  of  Boston  "  —  was  considered  —  whereupon 
Voted,  that  it  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  to  make  him  such  Allow- 
ance as  for  the  work  done  as  they  shall  Judge  proper  — 
* 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  things  which  remain  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  &  hereby  are  referred  to  the  next  General  Town 
Meeting  that  may  be  called,  then  to  be  acted  upon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  Thomas  Daws  Esqr.  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator  of  this 
Meeting. 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


[460.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhab- 
itants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday 
the  26th  Day  of  October  Anno  Domini  1785.     10,  O 'Clock.  A  :M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

The  Inhabitants  having  as  directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for 
a  Moderator,  it  Appeared,  that  the  Honble  :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  unanimously  — 

A  Petition,  that  it  might  be  made  a  Question,  "  Whether  this 
Town  shall  be  Incorporated  with  City  Priviledges  "  —  was  read 
and  a  Motion  made  for  its  being  dismissed  —  did  not  Obtain  — 


90  City  Document. 

It  was  then  moved  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  take  this 
Petition  into  consideration  —  And  to  Report  a  Plan  for  the  future 
Goverment  of  the  Town,  to  be  laid  before  the  Town  for  their 
consideration  —  the  Question  being  put  —  Passed  in  the  Affirma- 
tive— 

Voted,  that  the  HonWe:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 

Dr.  Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

John  Lucus  Esqr. 

Thomas  Daws  Junr.  Esqr. 

John  Gardiner  Esqr. 

Joseph  Barrell  Esqr. 
[461.]  William  Tudor  Esq1'. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

Adjourned  to  3.  O' Clock  P  :  M  : 

3.  OClock  P :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Petition  of  Alexander  Thomas  with  the  Papers  accompany- 
ing it  was  red  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
Mr.  Alexander  Hill 
John  Gardiner  Esq1, 
be  a  Committee  to  take  said  Petition  &  Papers  under  considera- 
tion, and  Report  to  the  Town  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz* :  ' '  To  consider  whether  any 
Measures  shall  be  taken  respecting  the  Granary  —  was  read, 
whereupon 

Voted,  that  Messrs :  John  Andrews 

Thomas  Walley 

Jeremiah  Belknap 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  matter  into  consideration,  and  to 
Report  at  the  Adjournment 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  — 
Whether  Lynn  Street  and  Ferry  way  Street  shall  be  widned"  — 
was  read  —  whereupon  moved,  and 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  take  this  matter  into 
consideration  and  Report  to  the  Town  what  is  best  to  be  done  at 
the  Adjournment 

[462.]  Voted,  that  the  Gentelmen  the  Selectmen  be  a  Com- 
mittee for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  the  Committee  ap- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  91 

pointed  to  Revise  the  By  Laws  be  referred  untill  the  Committee 
Appointed  in  the  Forenoon  to  take  into  consideration  the  Report 
of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants,  that  it  might  be  a  Question  — 
"Whether  the  Town  shall  be  made  a  Corporation  with  City 
Priviledges  shall  make  their  Report  —  also 

Voted,'  that  the  Committee  to  make  a  Revision  of  the  By  Laws 
be  desired  to  have  a  fair  Draught  taken  at  the  charge  of  the 
Town  — 

Voted,  that  when  tins  Meeting  is  Adjourned,  it  shall  be  to  this 
Day  fortnight  being  Wednesday  the  9th  of  November  next, 
10'  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  and  that  the  Committee  to  consider  the  Report 
of  the  Inhabitants  this  Day  Appointed  be  desired  to  Report  at 
the  Adjournment  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned  — 

Wednesday  10th.  O'Clock  A :  M :  Met  according  to  Adjourn- 
ment 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  Peti- 
tion of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  that  it  may  again  be  made  a 
Question,  Whether  the  Town  shall  be  Incorporated  with  City 
Priviledges  —  Reported 

[463.]  That  the  Committee  having  repeatedly  met  and  con- 
sidered the  said  Petition  could  not  agree  upon  any  Plan  for  the 
future  goverment  of  the  Town  — 

It  was  moved,  &  the  Question  being  accordingly  put,  Whether 
the  Report  of  the  Committee  to  make  Revision  of  the  By  Laws 
be  now  read  did  not  obtain  — 

The  Above  Question  being  again  put  Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

It  was  then  moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to 
state  the  defects  in  the  present  Constitution  of  the  Town  and  to 
Report  how  far  the  same  may  be  remedid  without  having  the 
Town  Incorporated  as  a  City,  &  how  far  and  in  what  manner 
they  or  any  of  them  may  be  cured  by  such  Incorporation  — 

Voted,  that  the  Honble.  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esq1'. 
D1' :  Charles  Jarvis 
Joseph  Barrel  Esq1',  (excused) 
John  Gardiner  Esqr. 
Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 


92  City  Document. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  (excused) 
Perez  Morton  Esq1'. 
John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
Thomas  Daws  Jun1'.  Esqr. 
Benja  :  Hitchbourn  Esqr. 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Mr.  Joseph  Russell 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

[464.]  The  Committee  Appointed  to  take  into  consideration 
the  Petition  of  Alexander  Thomas  Collector  with  the  Papers  Ac- 
companying them — Report 

That  having  met  and  heard  the  Petitioners  and  taking  the 
Papers  accompanying  the  same  under  consideration  are  of  Opinion 
that  the  Town  cannot  by  Law  Liberate  the  Petitioner  from  present 
confinement,  he  standing  committed  by  force  of  an  execution 
issued  by  the  State  Treasurer  for  the  Sum  of  £504  ,,  2/  —  part 
of  the  State  Tax  committed  to  him  to  Collect  —  The  Committee 
are  further  of  Opinion  should  the  Town  interfere  in  Matters  of 
this  kind,  it  might  involve  them  in  great  difficulties  — 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered,  the 
Question  was  put  whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted  —  passed 
in  the  Affirmative  — 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  30th  of  November  Ins*:  10  — 
O'Clock  A  :  M  :  then  to  meet  at  this  Place 

Wednesday  November  30th  — 10  — O'Clock  A:M:  Met  Ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  State  the  Defects  in  the  present 
Constitution  of  the  Town,  and  to  report  how  far  the  same  may  be 
remedid  without  having  the  Town  Incorporated  as  a  City,  and 
how  far  and  in  what  Manner  they  or  any  of  them  may  be  cured 
by  such  Incorporation —  "  Reported,  that  having  had  three  Meet- 
ings &  fully  considered  the  Matter  contained  in  their  Commis- 
sion, have  directed  me  to  Report  as  follows  Viz*: — That  the 
Committee  do  not  Report  any  [465.]  defects  in  the  present 
Constitution  of  The  Town  "  —  whereupon,  it  was  moved  &  Voted, 
that  the  consideration  of  said  Report  be  deferred  for  15  Minuetes, 
in  expectation  that  the  Meeting  will  then  be  fuller  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  committed  the  several  Reports  of 
Other  Committees,  relative  to  a  settlement  of  what  was  due  to 
David  Jeffries  Esqr.  for  all  his  past  services,  have  Attended  that 
business,  and  After  examining  the  Reports  of  the  Other  Commit- 
tees, &  the  Accompts  settled  by  the  last  Committee,  and  having 
duly  considered  the  same  are  of  Opinion  that  there  is  Justly  due 


Boston  Town  Records,  1785.  93 

to  David  Jeffries  Esq1',  late  Town  Treasurer  for  all  his  past  ser- 
vices, "till  the  time  he  resigned,  the  Sum  of  Six  hundred  & 
eighty  Pounds  8/4d  Specie,  which  he  ought  to  have  received  in 
December  1783,  which  was  the  time  the  last  Committee  made 
their  Report  —  and  that  the  present  Treasurer  be  directed  to  give 
him  Negotiable  Notes  on  Interest  for  the  same  — 
All  which  is  submitted 
Thomas 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  &  Amended  in  Meet- 
ing—  the  Question  was  put.  Viz'.  Whether  the  Town  Accept  of 
said  Report  thus  Amended  —  Passed  in  the  Affermative  —  Mem0. 
Interest  to  commence  the  30th  November  1785 

The  Report  Relative  to  Incorporation  again  taken  up,  and 
After  debate  had  thereon  the  Question  was  put  —  Whether  the 
Report  shall  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Petitioners  for  an  Incorporation 
of  the  Town  have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition  — 

[466.]  The  Committee  to  revise  the  By  Laws  of  the  Town 
Reported  a  Revision — after  debate  it  was  moved  that  the  same 
be  printed  passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Moved  and  Voted  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it  shall 
be  to  Tuesday  next  being  the  6th  of  December  next  9  O'Clock  in 
the  Forenoon  for  the  consideration  of  the  By  Laws  Reported  — 
and  that  the  reading  of  said  Report  commence  precisely  at  10 
O'Clock  — 

And  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned  — 

Tuesday  the  6th  Day  of  December  9  O'Clock,  Forenoon,  Met 
according  to  Adjournment  — 

At  10.  O'Clock  the  reading  of  the  By  Laws  commenced,  and 
several  of  them  having  been  considered  by  paragraphs  and  ap- 
proved of,  at  7  0  :  Clock  in  the  Evening,  Adjourned  to  to  Morrow 
Morning  9.  O'Clock  before  noon — ■ 

Wednesday  the  7th  Day  of  December  9  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met 
According  to  Adjournment 

The  consideration  of  the  By  Laws  Again  taken  up  — 

It  is  Voted,  and  Ordered  that  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby 
are  Instructed  [467.]  to  prepare  a  By  [law]  relative  to  the 
regulation  of  the  Market  and  Report  the  same  to  the  Town  as 
soon  as  may  be  — 


94  City  Document. 

Adjourned  to  3.  0 'Clock  in  the  Afternoon 

3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  By  Laws  still  under  consideration 

Adjourned  to  to  Morrow  Morning  9  O'Clock  — 

Tuesday  9  O'Clock,  Forenoon  met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  reading  and  consideration  of  the  By  Laws  continued  and  a 
Number  of  the  Laws  approved  of  as  by  the  Original  Draught  of 
By  Laws  will  appear  — 

All  the  foregoing  By  Laws  having  been  severally  read  and 
debated  in  paragraphs  &  passed  by  the  Town,  Ordered,  that 
the  Selectmen  together  with  the  Honble :  T.  Payne  Esqr.  Honble. 
James  Sullivan  Esqr.  be  a  Committee  to  present  them  to  the 
Court  of  Quarter  Sessions  next  to  be  holclen  at  Boston  for  the 
County  of  Suffolk  in  order  for  their  approbation  — 

It  is  Ordered  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  Wednesday 
the  28th  of  December  Instant  at  10  'O'Clock  A  :  M  :  and  that  the 
Committee  for  revising  and  Amending  the  By  Laws  of  the  Town 
do  in  the  mean  time  prepare  such  other  Orders  or  By  Lavis  to 
be  laid  before  the  Town  as  are  already  directed,  with  [468.] 
such  Others  as  they  shall  think  for  their  necessary  for  the  future 
good  goverment  of  the  Town,  &  that  they  Report  the  same  to  the 
Town  at  such  Adjourned  Meeting  —  and  that  they  cause  such 
By  Laws  as  have  now  passed  the  Town  and  have  been  so  altered 
as  to  require  to  be  recopied  fair  in  their  Opinion  to  be  so  recopied 
fair  in  their  Opinion  &  be  so  recopied  at  the  expence  of  the 
Town  — 

And  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  accordingly  — 

Wednesday  the  28th  of  December  10.  O'Clock  A:  M:  Met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  to  prepare  a  New  Code  of  By  Laws  for  the 
good  goverment  of  the  Town,  Reported,  other  By  Laws,  which 
were  Accepted  by  the  Town,  and  the  Committee  chosen  at  the 
last  Meeting  were  directed  to  present  them  to  the  Court  of  Ses- 
sions for  their  Approbation,  as  by  Attested  Copies  of  said  By 
Laws  on  file  will  Appear 

Moved  &  Voted  that  all  Matters  &  things  unfinished  at  this 
Meeting  unfinished  at  this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  next 
General  Town  Meeting  that  may  be  called  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  95 

[469.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  atFaneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  25th. 
Day  of  January  A  :  D  :  1786  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Requirement  of  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  Quorum  Unus 
Honble  :  Joseph  Greenleaff  &  John  Brown  Esqr :  for  convening 
the  Inhabitants,  for  the  choice  of  a  County  Treasurer,  in  the 
room  of  David  Jeffries  Esqr.  deceased  —  also,  read  — 

TheHonble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

Votes,  for  a  County  Treasurer  were  received  and  sealed  up  in 
Town  Meeting,  and  then  delivered  to  M1'.  Constable  Smith,  to  be 
by  him  returned  to  Joseph  Greenleaf  &  John  Brown  Esqrs :  at  the 
Court  House  in  Boston  on  the  first  Day  of  February  next 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  —  "  To  Act  upon  such  of  the 
By  Laws  as  have  not  met  with  the  Approbation  of  the  HonWe  : 
the  Justices  of  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  —  was 
read  —  whereupon  Moved  & 

Voted,  that  John  Gardiner  Esqr. 

Joseph  Greenleaff  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire  of  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  [470.]  Clark 
of  the   Sessions,  which  of  the  By  Laws,  if   any  such   there   be 
which  have  been  presented  for  their  Approbation,  have  not  been 
Approbated  by  them  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  Fryday  nes —  3-  O'Clock 
P :  M  :  before  which  the  Town  Clark  was  directed  to  give  to  the 
Assessors  an  Other  Attested  Copy  of  a  Town  Vote  relative  to 
Benja  :  Sumner  Jur.  &  Other  Assessors  which  passed  the  2d.  of 
Septemr.  last 

Fryday,  3,  O'Clock  P :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  to  enquire  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Sessions,  what 
By  Laws  had  been  disapprobated  Reported  —  wereupon 

The  By  Laws  relative  to  Carriages  Drawn  thro'  the  Town, 
which  was  disapproved  of  by  the  Sessions,  being  read  and 
amended,  the  Committee  Appointed  at  a  former  Meeting,  was 
directed  to  present  this  Order  or  By  Law  as  thus  amended  to  the 
Court  of  Sessions  for  their  Approbation  — 

The  Law  relative  to  Cart  &  Truck  Wheels  which  had  been  dis- 
approved, was  also  read  &  as  amended,  the  said  Commee :  were 
directed  to  present  it  to  the  Sessions  for  their  Approbation 


96  City  Document. 

It  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Committee  aforesaid  present 
again  the  Law  relative  to  Strangers,  and  in  case  it  should  be  dis- 
approved by  the  Sessions  that  the  Law  now  in  force  be  inserted 
in  the  Codes  of  Laws  ordered  to  be  printed  — 

[471.]  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Committee  for  revising  & 
preparing  a  Code  of  By  Laws  for  the  Goverment  of  this  Town  be 
directed  that  in  case  it  shall  Appear  that  in  case  it  shall  Appear 
that  any  of  the  Laws  of  this  Commonwealth  or  the  former  By 
Laws  of  the  Town,  which  they  may  Apprehend  to  be  Necessary 
for  the  better  goverment  of  the  Town  &  which  they  may  have 
overlooked  be  by  them  inserted  in  the  Code  of  Laws,  which  the 
Town  have  passed,  and  ordered  to  be  Printed  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[Pages  472  &  473  are  repetitions  (in  original)  of  page  470  & 
471.] 

I 
[474.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhab- 
itants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
pub  lick  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Monday 
the  13tb  Day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1786  —  10  OClock  Fore- 
noon 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Stillman 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  for  enjoined  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  ac- 
cordingly —  read 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  Same  being 
brought  and  Sorted 

It  appeared,  that  the 

Honble  :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  — 

William  Cooper  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Town  Clark  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  Duty,  which  Oath  was  adminis- 
tered to  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Price 

The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  choose  nine  Select- 
men the  Inhabitants  withdrew  &  were  then  directed  [475.] 
to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  that  Number,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  and  sorted ;  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Gentle- 
men—  Viz*.  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  97 

John  Scollay  Esq1' : 
Ezekiel  Price  Esqr : 
Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr : 
John  Brown  Esq1 : 
Cap* :  Edward  Tyler 
Mr.  John  Andrews 
Mr.  Moses  Grant 
Mr.  William  Cunningham 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  given  to  the  Gentelmen  Who  served  the  Town  the  last  year 
(as  Selectmen)  for  their  good  and  faithful  services  the  last  year 
in  that  Office  — 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in  their  Votes  for  a 
Town  Treasurer  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared,  that 

Mr :  Peter  Boyer 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  following  Extract  from  the  Will  of  the  late  worthy  Treas- 
urer David  Jeffries  Esq1",  was  handed  into  the  Moderator  of  the 
Meeting  by  the  [476.]  Executor,  and  being  read  to  the  Inhab- 
itants, it  was  moved  &  Voted  that  the  same  be  entered  on  the 
Records  of  the  Town  — 

The  Extract  is  as  follows  —  Viz* :  — 

"  For  as  much  as  the  Town  of  Boston  has  done  me  the  honor 
of  Electing  me  to  the  Office  of  Town  Treasurer  in  constant  suc- 
cession from  the  Year  of  our  Lord  1750  to  1781  — inclusive,  and 
whereas  the  said  Town  of  Boston  have  also  honored  me  with 
their  suffrages  for  the  Office  of  Treasurer  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk, since  the  Year  1778  my  Will  is  and  I  do  Give  Divise  & 
Bequeath  to  the  said  Town  of  Boston  two  hundred  Acres  of  my 
Lands,  at  Kennebeck  —  Viz*.  — The  Lot  of  Land  in  Pond  Town 
(so  called)  in  the  County  of  Lincoln,  being  one  Mile  long  and 
one  hundred  Poles  wide,  and  contains  two  hundred  Acres,  more 
or  less,  and  is  called  Lot  No.  39  —  and  was  assigned  by  the 
Kennebeck  Proprietors  as  by  their  Vote  &  Grant  the  12th  Day  of 
December  1770  and  their  Plan  dated  June  11th.  1776  may  more 
fully  Appear  the  said  Land  to  be  wholly  under  the  directions  & 
care  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  time  being,  or  the  Major 
Part  of  them  who  are  hereby  Authorized  &  impowered  to  Sell  or 
Let  the  same  or  otherwise  improve  the  said  Land  as  they  shall 
Judge  to  be  most  for  the  benefit  of  the  Town,  the  Monies  or 
Profits,  arrising  from  the  Rent  or  the  Interest  of  the  Money  or 
or  Profits  arising  from  the  Sale  of  said  Lands  to  be  applied  An- 
nually forever  to  purchase  [447.]  Tea  Chocolate  &  Sugar  for 
the  refreshment  of  those  Persons  who  in  the  Providence  of  God 


98  City  Document. 

are  or  shall  be  reduced  &  obliged  to  take  shelter  in  the  Alms- 
house after  having  lived  respectably,  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor 
to  be  the  Judges  as  to  the  Persons,  but  always  giving  the  prefer- 
ence to  the  Pious  Poor  "  — 

Adjourned  to  3  O 'Clock  P.  M. 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  twelve  Constables, 
and  the  same  being  sorted,  it  appeared,  that 

Messrs :  Benjamin  Homans 
Samuel  Whitney 
Pool  Spear 
Shubael  Hews 
William  Patten 
Jacob  Good 
James  Williams 
John  Cade 
John  Bartlet 
Francis  Booth 
Samuel  Smith 
John  Butterfield 
were  chosen  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing. 

[478.]  Person  Voted,  for  as  a  County  Register  with  the 
Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  Viz*  — 

Votes 
Joshua  Henshaw  Esq1.  --------  350 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Green 470 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 2 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esq1'.    --- 1 

Mr.  Jacob  Cooper 13 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  a  County  Register 
for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  committed  to  the  Clerk  of  the 
Sessions,  and  the  Inclosures  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  sub- 
scribed as  follows  —  Viz*  — 

To  the  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  — 

The  Number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  County 
Register  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  Certified  within  and  sealed  up 
in  Town  Meeting  — 

Votes,  for  a  County  Treasurer,  were  received  &  sealed  up  in 
Town  Meeting  and  then  delivered  to  Constable  Smith  to  be  by 
him  returned  to  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peice  at 
their  next  Meeting  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  99 

Voted,  that  John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Nath1.  Appleton  Esq1. 

Col0.  Tuder  — 

Col0.  Dudley  Sergeant 

Thomas  Walley  Esq1'. 
[479.]  be  a  Committee  to  Estimate  what  may  be  the  Expences 
of  the  present  year ;  as  also  to  enquire  into  the  services  of  the 
several  Salary  Men,  —  to  Report  at  the  intended  Adjournment  of 
this  Meeting  next  Wednesday  seven  Night  10  O'Clock  —  A.  M  — 
and  the  Town  Clark  is  directed  to  give  Notice  thereof  in  the 
Public  Papers  — 

Selectmen 
Appointed  a  Committee  to  visit  the  Public  Schools  the  ensuing 
Year  — 

Mr.  Josiah  Torrey's  Petition  —  read  —  whereupon  —  Voted, 
that  the  same  be  referred  for  consideration  to  the  Committee 
Appointed  to  bring  in  an  Estimate  —  to  Report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment the  22d.  March  Ins*. 

The  Petition  relative  to  Sea  Street  read  —  whereupon  Voted,  — 
that 

Mr.  Thomas  Denny 

Shrimpton  Hutchinson  Esq1. 

Mr.  William  Parsons 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire  who  are  the  Proprietors  of  the  Wharff 
and  Report  what  may  be  proper  to  be  done  thereon 

Mrs:  Margaret  Parker's  Petition  —  read  whereupon,  Voted 
that 

Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esq1 : 
John  Gardiner  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esqr : 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  same  and  to  Report  thereon  at  the 
Adjournment  the  22  March  Ins* :  — 

[480.]     Adjourned  to  to  Morrow  9.  O'Clock 

Tuesday  9.0:  Clock  Met  According 

The  Request  of  Alexander  Thomas  late  Collector  was  read  — 
whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :  James  Sullivan  Esq1 : 

John  Gardiner  Esqr : 

William  Tudor  Esqr : 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  same  &  Report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment— 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant,  relative  to  the  Inchroachments  on 


100  City  Document. 

Towns  Laud  near  Olivers  Dock  Together  with  the  Petition 
handed  in  on  that  matter  to  the  Selectmen  for  calling  a  Meeting  — 
read  —  whereupon  Voted,  that,  the  Selectmen  together  with  Judge 
Sullivan,  be  a  Committee  to  take  this  Matter  up  at  large  and 
Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  Measures  shall  im- 
mediately be  come  into  for  widening  the  Street  leading  from 
Charlestown  Ferry  to  Winnesimit  Ferry  "  —  read  and  committed 
to  the  Selectmen  —  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment 

The  Request  of  the  Proprietors  of  Land  on  the  Neck"  that 
their  bounds  on  the  West  side  of  the  Neck  should  be  extended," 
—  read,  and  committed  for  consideration  to  the  Selectmen,  they 
to  Report  at  the  Adjournment 

[481.]  The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants,  "  that 
the  Town  will  take  into  consideration  the  mode  of  letting  the  Hay 
Engine"  —  read  &  committed  to  the  Selectmen  they  to  Act 
thereon  as  in  their  Judgment  they  shall  think  meat  conducive  to 
Justice  &  for  the  benefit  of  the  Town 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz* :  —  What  measures  shall  be 
taken  relative  to  the  old  Continental  Bills  now  in  the  Treasurey  "  — 
read  whereupon  Voted  that 

Nath1 :  Appleton  Esqr : 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 

Stephen  Higginson  Esq1, 
a  Committee  to  take  this  matter  into  Consideration  —  &  Report 
at  the  Adjournment 

The  Article  relative  to  Deliquent  Collectors  —  read  &  on  a 
Motion,  referred  for  consideration  to  the  Adjournment  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Wardens,  be  referred  to 
the  Adjournment  as  also  of  Another  Constable -- 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  sixteen  Fire  Wards ;  and  the  same  being  brought  in 
and  sorted,  it  Appeared  that  — 

William  Cooper  Esqr : 
HonWe :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr : 
Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Lowell 
[482.]  Mr.  James  Tileston 

Cap*.  G-ustavus  Fellows  —  excused 
Thomas  Melville  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Winthrop 
Jabez  Hatch  —  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  101 

Cap*.  John  Ballard 
Andrew  Syras  Esqr. 
Mr.  Joseph  Clark 
Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 
Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 
Mr.  Henry  Bass 
Col0.  John  May 
were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  following  Persons  were  chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the 
year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  Moses  Black 

Francis  Wright 

Richard  Codman 

Nath1 :  Glover  —  declines 

Daniel  Sears 

Sam1.  W.  Hunt 

Elisha  Doane 

Thomas  Appleton 

William  Gray 

John  Wells 

Thomas  Perkins 

Jonathan  Freeman  Jur. 

The  Town  having  determined  that  five  Collectors  of  Taxes 
should'  be  chosen  the  Inhabitants  as  directed  withdrew  &  brought 
in  their  Votes  accordingly  &  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

[483.]  Mr.  William  Lowder 

Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 
Mr.  Moses  May 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
Cap*.  William  Fleet 
were  chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  a  Clerk  of  Fanuiel  Hall  Market, 
upon  sorting  them  it  Appeard  that 

Mr.  Matthew  Nazro 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  said  Market  —  unanimously 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  shall 
receive  as  a  recompence  for  his  services  one  third  part  of  the 
Money  he  shall  Collect  the  ensuing  Year  of  the  Market  People 
without  Doors  —  and  also  the  same  for  what  he  Collected  the  last 
Year  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that 

Col0 :  Dudley  Sergeant 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Andrews 


102  City  Document. 

be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  the  State  Treasurer  and  to  desire  him 
to  Acquaint  the  Town  what  Sums  are  still  due  from  the  several 
Collectors 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  having 
been  brought  in  and  sorted,  it  appeared,  that 
The 
[484.]         Honble.  William  Phillips  Esqr. 

Isaac  Smith  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

John  White  Esqr. 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 

William  Powell  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Mr.  Henry  Prentice 

Mr.  Jonathan  L.  Austin 

Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  John  Champney 
Joseph  Buttler 
Henry  Blaisclell 
Joseph  Ballard 
Benjamin  Page 
James  Rogers 
Joseph  Rogers-Eyres 
Clement  Collins 
Abraham  Hay  ward 
Samuel  Fenno 
were  chose  Surveyor's  of  Boards  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  Benjamin  White 

Andrew  Townsend  Jur. 
[485.]  Thomas  Uran 

Edmund  Ranger 
Abijah  Crane 
were  chosen  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs.  Samuel  Bangs 
James  Bruce 
Thomas  Bradley 
Samuel  Hicks 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 
was  chosen  an  Informer  of  Dear  for  the  year  ensuing  — 


Boston  Town  Recokds,  1786.  103 

Messrs :  Samuel  Harris 

Arthur  Langford 
John  McElroy 
Cap*.  Manassah  Master 
Daniel  Bell 
Caleb  Hayden 
John  Owen 
Job  Wheelwright 
Samuel  Healey 
Edward  Burt 
Henry  Parks 
Joshua  Pico 
were  chose  Collectors  of  Staves  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Messrs :  John  Skinner 
Jacob  Edes 
William  Tate 
were  chosen  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[486.]   Messrs :  George  Hambleton 
Samuel  Curtis 
were  chosen  Haywards  for  the  year  ensuing 

The  Committee  to  waite  on  the  State  Treasurer,  Reported  as 
on  file  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  in  the  Afternoon  — 

3.  O  Afternoon,  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

Voted,  that  Edward  Payne  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Russel 

Cap*.  William  Parsons 

Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accompt  of 
the  Town  Treasurer  and  also  the  Accompt  of  the  Overseers  of 
the  Poor,  and  that  they  make  Report  at  the  next  March  Meeting, 
and  the  said  Committee  are  desired  to  Report  from  time  to  time 
a  State  of  the  Treasurey  and  many  Matters  relating  to  the  Treas- 
urey  or  Overseeres  of  the  Poor  which  they  may  think  proper,  and 
the  said  Committee  are  also  desired  to  examine  the  Draughts  of 
the  Selectmen  and  the  Vouchers  for  the  same  and  its  further 
[487.]  Voted  that  Interest  be  allowed  to  such  of  the  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  as  shall  advance  Money  for  the  Use  of  the  Poor 
for  the  expiration  of  the  year  untill  paid  — 

Selectmen 
Appointed  Sur[ve]yers  of  High  Ways 
Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chosen  Assay  Masters  for  the  year  ensuing  — 


104  City  Document. 

Moved  &  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  make  suita- 
ble provision  for  the  impownding  of  Horses  &  also  Hogs  for  the 
North  part  of  the  Town,  the  Northward  of  the  Bridge  —  and 

John  Skinner 
was  chosen  a  Hayward  for  said  District  for  the  purpose  of  im- 
pownding Horses 

John  White  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
were  chosen  Surveyers  of  Wheat  &  Flour  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Consideration  of  Collectors  Premium  and  what  shall  be  allowed 
the  Assessors  referred  to  the  Adjournment  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that 

Dudley  Sargeant  Esq1. 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr : 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Edward  Procter  Esqr. 
[488.]  be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Assessors  with  respect 
to  the  time  the  Assessors  should  set  to  make  Abatements  —  to 
Report  at  the  Adjournm*.  — 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  22d  of  March  Ins* :  — 

Wednesday  the  22d  of  March,  lO.'O'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met  accord- 
ing to  Adjournment 

Mr.  John  McLane 
was  chosen  a  Constable  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mr :  Joseph  Dyer 
was  chosen  a  Surveyer  of  Boards  for  the  ensuing  Year  — 

Paul  D.  Sergeant  Esqr. 
was  chosen  a  Fire  Ward  —  unanimously  — 

Messr8 :  Samuel  Cobb 

Thomas  L  Wenthrop  —  excused 
were  Chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  consider  what  Measures  shall  be 
immediately  taken  for  widening  the  Street  leading  from  Charles- 
town  Ferry  to  Winnesimet  Ferry  Report  that  the  Town  widen  the 
same  Street  so  as  that  said  Street  be  fortey  feet  in  wedth  pro- 
vided the  Abutters  on  said  Street  release  their  right  in  the  Lands 
Necessary  for  that  purpose  without  any  Expence  to  the  Town  for 
the  said  Land  — 

[489.]     The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  &  Amended 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  105 

—  Voted,  that  the  same  be  Accepted  and  the  Selectmen  Author- 
ised &  empowered  to  proceed  in  widing  said  Street  — 

The  Committee  on  the  request  of  the  Proprietors  of  Land  on 
Boston  Neck  — 
Report  — 

That  said  Proprietors,  have  ever  Since  run  Parallel  thro'  their 
Lots  on  both  sides  the  Street  on  condition  that  said  Proprietors 
at  their  own  Expence  built  a  sufficient  Stone  Wall  on  the  West 
side  of  the  Neck  to  secure  the  same  &  prevent  the  inroads  of  the 
Sea  from  the  Street  to  the  Bluffs  near  Gravelly  Point  so  called, 
and  that  said  Proprietors  keep  the  same  Wall  in  good  Repair  at 
all  times  hereafter  — 

The  foregoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered.  Voted, 
that  the  same  be  accepted  and  the  Selectmen  are  hereby  Author- 
ised &  impowered  to  give  a. Deed  of  said  Land  in  behalf  of  the 
Town  Accordingly  — 

The  Commee :  to  Audit  Town  Treasurer  Accounts  &  having 
Reported  —  the  Report  was  read 

The  Committee  to  Estimate  the  Sum  necessary  to  be  raised  to 
defrey  the  Expencies  of  the  Present  Year  &  to  consider  [490.] 
what  Sums  will  be  proper  to  grant  to  the  several  Officers,  in  pay 
of  the  Town  —  Reported,  and  the  same  being  considered  —  as 
also  the  Report  of  the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the 
Town  Treasurer,  the  Town  came  into  the  following  Resolutions  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Ninety  five  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary  the  present 
Year  the  same  to  commence  the  1st :  of  March  Ins* :  and  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  Ninety  five  Pounds,  be 
allowed  and  paid  unto  Mr.  Nathaniel  Davis  for  his  Salary  the 
present  Year,  the  same  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins* :  and 
to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

306  Persons  present. 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  &  Seventy  pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Tyleston  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  North  Grammer  School  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be 
paid  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from  the 
Is*.  of  March  Ins* : 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Seventy  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  James  Carter,  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  Writing  School  in  Queen  Street  the  present  Year  the  same 
to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  &  to  commence  from  the  1*.  of  March 
Ins*. 


106  City  Document. 

[491.]  Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Seventy 
Pounds  be  allowed  and  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Vinal  for  his  Salary 
as  Master  of  the  Writing  School  in  the  Common  the  present 
Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due 
&  to  commence  the  1*.  of  March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Seventy  Pounds  be  al- 
lowed &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  New  Writing  School  at  the  North  End,  the  present  Year 
the  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  &  to  com- 
mence the  1st.  of  March  Ins*. 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  the  North  Writing 
School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  year  the  Sum  of 
forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due  &  to  commence  the  first  of  March  Ins* :  — 

Adjourned  to  3'0'Clock  P:  M 

3'0'Clock.  Town  Met 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Nathaniel  Davis  Master  of  the  North  Gram- 
mer  School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year,  the  Sum 
of  Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due,  and  to  commence  at  the  expiration  of  the  last 
Quarter  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Vinal  Master  of  the  Writing  School  in 
the  Common  be  allow'cl  [492.]  for  House  Rent  the  present 
Year,  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quar- 
terly as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  from  the  1*.  of 
March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  Master  of  the  New  Writing 
School  at  the  North  End,  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present 
Year,  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quar- 
terly as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March 
Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Payson  Usher  of  the  South  Grammer 
School,  be  allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of  Ninety  Seven  Pounds  ten 
Shillings  for  the  present  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  3  Ushers  of  the  Writing  Schools  Viz* :  Mr : 
Tileston  Mr.  Carter's  &  Mr.  Vinals  be  allowed  for  their  Salaries 
Eighty  five  Pounds  "^  Annum  each  the  same  to  be  paid  Quarterly 
as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from  the  Is*.  of  March 
Ins* :  — 

Voted,  that  the  Six  Masters  of  the  Public  Schools  have  ten 
Cords  of  Wood  each  provided  for  them  by  the  Selectmen  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  107 

[493.]  Voted,  that  one  of  the  Town  "Watches  he  laid  aside, 
and  that  the  Selectmen  vsettle  it  with  the  other  Watchmen  the 
allowance  they  are  to  receive  — 

Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be  seven  Shilhngs 
&  Six  pence  ^  Day,  for  the  time  they  may  set  in  doing  the  Busi- 
ness of  their  Office 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  he  allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of  One 
hundred  &  thirty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Town  Clerk  the  Year 
ensuing  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due 
&  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*. 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  and  thirty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Treasurer  the 
prest  Year  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become 
due  &  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Director  of  Lamps  be  allowed  for  his  services 
Five  Pounds  ^  Month  untill  further  Orders  of  the  Town  — 

280  Persons  present 

[494.]  Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Seven  thousand  Pounds  be 
raised  by  a  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  &  Estates  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  this  Town  to  defrey  the  Charges  of  the  Year 
ensuing  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  that  paragraph  of  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  to  bring  in  an  Estimate  &  which  relates  to  the  choice 
of  Collectors,  and  if  they  find  their  Premium  be  referred  to  the 
Adjournment  for  consideration  The  Town  Clerk  is  to  give  notice 
of  this  in  the  public  Papers  —  and  that  the  choice  of  Collectors  of 
Taxes,  be  referred  to  the  Adjournment 

Mr.  Benjamin  White 
was  chosen  a  Surveyer  of  Boards  &  Shingles  for  the  Year  ensu- 
ing— 

Mr.  Jacob  Eustes 
chosen  Clerk  of  the  Market  for  the  year  ensuing 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Constables  be  requested  to  Walk  the 
Streets  of  this  Town  on  the  Lords  Day's  agreeably  to  a  former 
practice,  taking  with  them  some  of  the  Inhabitants  on  those 
Walks  as  a  means  to  prevent  disorders  on  the  Sabbath  more 
especially  in  the  time  of  Divine  service  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Sea  Street  read  where- 
upon— 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  [be]  requested  to  enquire  into  the 


108  City  Document. 

Nature  &  Tenor  of  the  Deeds  of  the  Abuttors,  and  if  they  find 
that  they  then  Report  the  same  to  the  Town  but  if  otherwise, 
that  they  then  proceed  in  making  necessary  Repairs  in  the  Usual 
manner  — 

[495.]  The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Petition  of 
Margaret  Parker  —  read  —  and  recommitted,  and  Mr.  James 
Bayley  added  to  said  Committee ;  who  are  desired  to  Report  at 
the  Adjournment  — 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  next  9.  O'Clock,  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Tuesday  the  28th.  of  March  9.  O. Clock  A  :  M  :  met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

Cap* :  William  McNeil 
Mr.  Edward  How 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Hemp  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  empowered  & 
directed  to  sit  for  such  Abatement  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable  two  Days  in  each  Week  for  the  delivery  of  the  Tax 
Bills  to  the  Collectors  for  the  space  of  six  Weeks,  and  no  longer, 
saving  that  they  be  allowed  to  set  the  last  Week  in  February 
Lords  Day  excepted  for  the  Abatement  of  the  Taxes  of  such 
Persons  as  had  not  an  Oppertunity  of  applying  in  the  Above 
limetted  time,  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Common- 
wealth, or  any  other  unavoidable  hinderance,  and  that  the  As- 
sessors determin  upon  the  said  two  Days,  which  is  to  be  noted 
on  the  Tax  Bill  to  be  delivered  the  Inhabitants  — 

On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mrs :  Margaret  Parker's 
Petition  — 

[496.]  Voted,  that  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Town  that  the 
Assessors  pursue  the  Measures  prescribed  in  the  Law  respecting 
the  case  of  the  late  Mr.  Daniel  Parker  one  of  the  Collectors  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  for  the  Year  1784  &  1785 

On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Alexander  Thomas's 
Petition  which  was  read  &  as  part  Accepted  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  prosecute  the 
Bondsmen  of  Mr.  Alexander  Thomas  one  of  the  late  Collector  of 
Taxes  for  such  Taxes  committed  to  him  to  Collect,  as  he  has 
been  deficient  in  Collecting 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  directed  to  proceed  with  respect 
to  the  late  Collector  Alexander  Thomas,  in  taking  a  List  &c  as 
the  Law  directs 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  109 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  suspend  prose- 
cuting Mr.  Thomas's^  Bondsmen  untill  he  shall  have  received,  the 
Returns  from  the  Assessors  respecting  the  Taxes  uncollected, 
which  the  Law  directs 

On  Report  of  the  Committee  to  Audit  Accounts  Moved  & 
Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  make  enquirey  whether 
the  Justices  of  the  Town  have  paid  into  the  Town  Treasurey  the 
proportion  of  Fines  the  Town  by  Law  is  to  receive  from  said 
Justices 

[49*7.]     Voted,  that  Mr.  Jeremiah  Belknap 
William  Story  Esq1'. 
Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  put  in  Suit  the 
Bonds  of  all  such  Collectors  as  have  been  deficient  in  paying  in 
the  Sums  committed  to  them  to  Collect  previous  to  1785  — 

Voted,  that  no  Person  be  chosen  into  the  Office  of  a  Collector 
that  has  not  settled  and  paid  into  the  State  &  Town  Treasurey  all 
the  Taxes  committed  to  him  to  Collect,  prior  to  the  Tax  granted 
in  1785  — 

The  Question  being  put  on  that  Paragraph  of  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  as  Audit  Town  Treasurer's  Accounts  relative  to  a 
motion  made  of  Collecting  Taxes,  passed  in  the  negative  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P.  M 

3.  O  :  Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

On  Mr.  Jonaah  Torreys  Petition 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  impowered  &  directed  to 
give  Jonah  Torrey  a  late  Collector  one  or  more  Notes  bearing  In- 
terest from  the  date  of  his  settling  his  Accounts  with  the  Select- 
men for  the  Sum  due  to  him  from  the  Town  on  said  Settlement 

[498.]  Mr :  Samuel  Ballard  — 

chosen  a  Hay  ward  for  the  Year  ensuing. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Wardens,  &  the  same  being  brought  in  &  sorted 
it  appeared  that  — 

Messrs :  James  Allen declined 

Nathaniel  Jarvis     -----  d°. 

Jacob  Eustis d°. 


110  City  Document. 

Benjamin  Jar  vis d°. 

Sylvanus  Bourn d°. 

John  Lovel d°. 

Simeon  Mayo d°. 

Simeon  Eliot  Junr.       ...     -  d°. 

Martin  B.  Sohier    -----  d°. 

Gilbert  Deblois d°. 

James  Carter d°. 

Benjamin  Austin  Jur.  -     -     -   _  -  d°. 
were  chose  Wardens  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  take  into  considera- 
tion what  Premium  shall  be  allowed  the  Persons  who  shall  be 
chosen  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing 
Voted 

Col0.  D  Sergeant 

Samuel  Ruggles 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  that  purpose  to  Report  at  May  Meeting  — 

[499.]  Messrs :  Thomas  Bayley 

James  Thompson 

Charles  Williams 

Benjamin  Henderson 
were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next  to  meet  in  this  Place  immediately 
after  the  choice  of  Goverment  &  is  declared  — 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

All  the  Persons  who  were  chosen  into  the  Office  of  Wardens  at 
the  Adjournment  having  declined  Serving  they  were  by  the  Town 
the  Day  upon  Application  to  them  excused  from  serving  in  that 
Office  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Person  Elected  and  empowered  to  Col- 
lect the  Outstanding  Taxes  which  have  been  committed  to  Mr. 
Alexander  Thomas  to  Collect  and  which  by  reason  of  his  being 
taken  by  execution  he  has  been  unable  to  compleat  provided  the 
Person  so  elected  gives  Bond  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his 
Trust,  to  the  Selectmen 

Mr :  Benjamin  Henderson 
was  chosen  by  Ballot  a  Collector  of  Taxes  for  the  purpose  afore- 
said — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  desired  to  sus- 
pend putting  Mr.  Cudworths  Bonds  in  Suit  untill  July  term 

[500.]     Moved  &  Voted,  that  there  be  allowed  &  paid  for 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  Ill 

the   said   Benjamin   Henderson   five  ^  Cent  for  Collecting  Mr. 
Thomas's  outstanding  Debts  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  desired  to  sus- 
pend putting  Mr.  Cudworths  Bonds  in  Suit  untill  July  term 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  so  far  reconsider  the  Vote 
lately  passed  directing  the  Town  Treasurer  to  put  Mr.  Grays 
Bonds  in  Suit,  as  that  the  Treasurer  be  now  directed  to  suspend 
the  same  untill  May  next  upon  Condition  that  the  Bondsmen 
shall  pay  all  the  Charge  that  may  have  arisen  as  to  this  Suit 

It  was  moved  that  the  same  direction  be  given  the  Treasurer 
with  respect  to  Mr.  Thomas's  Bonds  —  and  the  Question  being 
put  —  passed  in  the  Negative 

about  165  Persons  present 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  directed  to  receive  of  Mrs. 
Catharin  Cray  a  List  of  her  late  Husband  Benjamin  Grays  out- 
standing Taxes,  and  make  such  Abatements  thereon  as  they  shall 
Judge  reasonable  — 

m 

Voted,  that  all  matters  &  things  which  remaine  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General  Town  [meeting] 
in  May  next  then  to  be  Acted  upon  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[501.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  Twenty  one  Years  of  Age  and  upwards,  qualified  as 
the  Constitution  prescribes  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneiul  [Hall]  on  Monday  the  3d  Day  of 
April  Anno  Domini  1786  9.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Eevd  :  Mr :  Lothrop 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment,  relative 
to  choice  of  Governor  &  Senators,  also  read  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Town  will  now  come  to  the  choice 
of  a  Governor  Leu*.  Governor  and  six  Senators  for  the  County 
of  Suffolk  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Vote  would  be 
received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll 
shall  be  closed  at  12.  O'Clock  — 


112  City  Document. 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  severall  Bells  in  the  Town  be  set 
aringing  ten  Minutes  befor  12.  O'Clock 

Persons  Voted,  for  as  Governor  with  the  number  of  Votes  for 
each  Person  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Excellency  James  Bowcloin  Esq1'.     -     - 765 

Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esq1'. 1 

Honble:  John  Hancock  Esq1'. -  13 

Cap1.  Job  Prince  -     -     -     - 1 

[503.]     Persons  Voted,  for  Lieu* :  Governor,  with  the  Num- 
ber of  Votes  for  each  Persons  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 505 

Honble:    Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 267 

Honble :  James  Warren  Esq1'. _..._  8 

Honble:  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esq1'.    ---------  1 

John  Lucus  Esq1'.       ------ 1 

Mr.  Amos  Hovey 1 

Persons  Voted,  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  with 
the  number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  —  Viz* :  — 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 278 

Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 720 

Honble :  William  Phillips  Esqr 744 

Honble:   Benjamin  Austin  Esq1'. 875 

Honble:  Richard  Cranch  Esq1'. 771 

Honble:   Cotton  Tuffts  Esqr. 762 

Honble:  John  Lowell  Esqr. 313 

Honble:   Stephen  Metcalf  Esqr 439 

Honbie .   William  Heath  Esqr.  ----------  44 

Honble:  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. _--.  99 

Honble :  Jabez  Fisher  Esqr. ----'-  2 

Honble:  Caleb  Davis  Esqr 27 

Honble:  Jonathan  Jackson  Esq1'. 5 

Honble:   Samuel  A.  Otis  Esqr. -     -  7 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. -,'___-  5 

Honble:  James  Warren  Esq1'. --  3 

Honble :   Samuel  Nyles  Esqr. 

Benjamin  Hitchborn  Esqr. 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 

John  C.  Jones  Esqr. 

Mr.  Elias  Parkman 

Mr.  John  Wear 

Cap*.  John  Hinckley  - --'.--.- 

[503.]     Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

Mr.  Jacob  Edes    -- 


Boston  Town  Kecords,  1786.  113 

Votes 

Mr.  Benjamin  Hall 1 

Leonard  Jarvis  Esqr. 1 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Bridge 1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Liev*. 
Governor  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  committed 
to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  Inclousers  sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*.  — 
For 

John  Avery  Esq1. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

The  number  of  the  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Gover- 
nor Lieu*.  Governor  &  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk 
Certified  within  &  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  0 'Clock  P :  M 
Met  accordingly  &  then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuiel  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  9th.  Day  of 
May  Anno  Domini  1786  10.  O  :  Clock  A.  M  : 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd :  Mr.  "Wight 

[504.]     "Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment  which 
relates  to  the  choice  of  Representatives     -     -     -     -     read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  were  Accordingly 
read  — 


The  Town  having  determined  to  Choose  Seven  Persons  to  Rep- 
resent them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held  at 
the  State  House  at  Boston  the  last  "Wednesday  of  May  Currant 
Agreeably,  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment  for  the 
Massachusetts  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and 
bring  in  their  Votes  for  Several  Representatives  and  then  it  was 
declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  should  be  received  but 
such  as  were  unfolded  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll  should  be 
closed  at  12'  O'Clock  —  the  Assessors  were  requested  to  stand 
at  the  Door  while  the  Inhabitants  were  giving  in  their  Votes  — 

On  a  Motion,  Voted,  that  all  those  Persons  who  Vote  for  Rep- 
resentatives shall  on  their  giving  in  their  respective  Votes,  enter 
into  the  Hall  and  there  remaine,  untill  the  Poll  is  closed  — 


114  City  Document. 

The  Votes  "being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives,  the 
number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  Seven  hundred  sixty  two 
[505.]  And  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  chosen  by  a  Maiority  of  Votes  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.      —  730 
Samuel  A.  Otis  Esqr.  —  667 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  —  750 

Leonard  Jarvis  Esqr.  —  531 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr.  —  630 

Jonathan  Mason  Senr.  Esqr.  —  454 
John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  —  570 

Men0.  An  Attested  Copy  did 
Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  and  declared  by  the 
Selectmen,  it  was  moved  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  to  preside 
at  the  Meeting  for  the  choice  of  a  County  Register  — 

John  Brown  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  4.  o  Clock  P :  M  :  be  Assigned  for  bring- 
ing in  &  receiving  Votes  for  a  County  Register  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P.  M  be  Assigned  for  bringing  in  & 
examining  Votes 

3  O'Clock  P.  M.     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  collect 
count  &  sort  the  Votes  in  Town  Meeting  that  shall  be  brought  in 
for  a  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  (error) 

[506.]  John  Scollay  Esqr. 

Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

John  Brown  Esqr. 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 

Mr.  John  Andrews 

Mr.  Moses  Grant 

Mr.  William  Cunningham 

Mr.  Thomas  Walley 
were  chosen  to  Collect  sort  &  count  the  Votes  for  a  Register  of 
Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  the  written  Votes  of  each  Person 
as  were  qualified  by  the  Constitution  to  Vote  for  Representatives 
having  been  by  the  said 

John  Scollay 

Harbottle  Dorr 

Ezekiel  Price 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  115 

John  Brown 

Edward  Tyler 

John  Andrews 

Moses  Grant 

William  Cunningham 

Thomas  Walley 
collected,    sorted   and  counted   it  appeared   that   the   following 
Persons  were  Voted  for  as  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk  and  had  the  number  of  Votes  set  against  their  respective 
Names  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  267 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Green 426 

Stephen  Miller  Esqr. 3 

Mr.  Jacob  Cooper 3 

[507.]  The  aforegoing  Record  was  read  in  Town  Meeting 
and  exactly  Copied,  &  Attested  by  the  Town  Clerk,  &  then  sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting  —  On  the  Outside  of  the  Paper  the  following 
was  written  Viz* : 

This  Paper  contains  a  Copy  of  the  Records  of  the  Votes  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  for  a  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk taken  from  the  Town  Book  and  sealed  up  by  William  Cooper 
Town  Clerk  — 

To  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  within 
&  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  on  the  first  Tuesday  of  July  A.  D. 
1786 

Mem0,  said  Paper  was  then  delivered  to  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
Clerk  of  the  Court  of  General  Sessions  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  dissolved 

There  being  other  Articles  contained  in  the  Warrant,  it  was 
moved  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  to  preside  while  said  Business 
was,  transacting  — 

John  Brown  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Meeting  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  consider  whether  In- 
structions shall  be  given  the  Gentelmen  who  may  be  chosen  to 
Represent  this  Town  in  the  General  Court  the  present  Year  "  — 
was  read  whereupon  —  the  Question  was  put  —  Passed  in  the 
Negative,  About  300  Persons  present 

[508.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Cap*.  Silas 
Atkens  House  was  read  —  whereupon 


116  City  Document. 

Voted,  that  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Deacon  Sharp 

Timothy  Newell  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  view  said  House  &  Report  what  is  proper  to 
be  done ;  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting 

The  Petition  of  Thomas  Beals,  read  &  considered,  whereupon 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  he  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition  — 

also  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  proceed  in  carrying 

the  design  of  the  Governors  Donor  into  execution  — 

» 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  "Whether  the  Town  will  take 
Measures  for  building  a  Sea  Wall  on  Ferry  Street  ' '  —  read  — 
whereupon  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  view  said 
Street,  and  confer  with  the  Proprietors  of  the  Bridge  and  the 
Abuttors,  as  to  the  proportion  they  will  bear  of  the  charge  of 
said  Wall ;  to  Report  the  same  at  the  Adjournment  togethear  with 
an  Estimate  of  the  Expence  that  will  be  occasioned  by  building 
said  Wall  — 

Voted,  that  Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 
Paul  D  Sergeant  Esq1. 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 
Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Nath1.  Barber  Esqr. 
[509.]  be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

The  Petition  of  the  several  Sextons  was  read,  and  after  debate 
the  Question  was  put  as  moved  for  viz*.  Whether  they  shall 
have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Adjourned  to  Fry  day  next  being  the  12tb  Ins1 :  3  :  O :  Clock 
Afternoon  — 

Fryday  the  12th  Day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1786  —  Met  accord- 
ing to  Adjournment 

The  Sextons  Petition,  again  taken  up  and  after,  debate,  the 
Question  was  put  Viz*.  —  Whether  the  Petitioners  shall  have  leave 
to  withdraw  their  Petition  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  consider  the  Article  in  the  War- 
rant relative  to  Cap*.  Atkins  ;  House  —  Reported  as  their  Opinion 
That  it  is  not  expedient  for  the  Town  to  Adopt  any  measure  — 
relative  thereto  —  and  the  Question  being  put  —  Whether  said 
Report  shall  be  Accepted — Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

The  Committee  relative  to  Ferry  Street  &  Reported  verbally 
and  gave  in  an  Estimate  of  the  charge,  the  building  a  Sea  Wall 


Boston  Towjst  Records,  1786.  117 

would  Occasion  —  After  some  debate  It  was  moved  -that  said 
Committee  be  desired  to  Report  again  in  writing  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment.    [510.]  also  an  Estamate  of  the  charge  of  the  Sea  Wall 

—  the  Question  was  put  for  said  referance  but  did  not  Obtain  — 

It  was  then  Moved  &  Voted  that  the  aforegoing  Vote  be  re- 
considered &  that  the  Committee,  Report  as  first  moved  at  the 
Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it  shall 
be  to  Wednesday  the  17th  Ins*.  3.  O  'Clock  P :  M  — 

And  the  Meeting  was  accordingly  Adjourned 

Wednesday  the  17th  of  May  3.  O  Clock  P :  M  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Justices  Fines  —  read 

—  whereupon,  moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  Accept  the  Report 
&  that  the  Report  be  Accepted  &  the  Town  Treasurer  directed  to 
Apply  to  the  several  Official  Justices  for  payment  of  the  Fines 
they  have  received  as  belongs  to  the  Town 

Mr.  John  Vinal's  Petition  read  where 

Voted,  that  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Deming 
Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  take  the  same  into  consideration  and  Report 
as  soon  as  may  be 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  Mr.  Benjamin  Henderson  be  allowed  five 
^  Cent  for  Collecting  the  Outstanding  Debts  of  Mr.  Daniel 
Parker  a  late  Collector,  deceased  on  all  the  Monies  he  shall  Col- 
lect— 

Moved,  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  5.  0.  Clock  this 
Afternoon  — 

[511.]  At  a  legal  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  In- 
habitants of  the  Town  of  Boston  at  Faneiul  Hall  Wednesday  the 
17th.  of  May  3  'O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

John  Brown  Esqr :  — 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meeting 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  ' '  To  consider  and  determin 
whether  the  Town  will  purchase  any  Part  of  Copes  Hill  with  the 


118  City  Document. 

Beach  or  Flatts  contigieous  for  the  purpose  of  widening  and  re- 
pairing of  Ferry  Way  Street  —  was-read  —  whereupon 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  empowered  and  directed 
to  purchase  of  the  Artillery  Company  four  Lots  of  Land  on  Cops 
Hill,  for  the  purpose  of  widening  &  reparing  of  Ferry  way  Street ; 
and  for  the  further  use  of  the  Town  ;  provided  the  Treasurer  of 
the  Company  will  convey  to  the  Town  all  their  Right  Title  & 
Interest  to  said  Land  Beach  &  Flatts  for  a  Sum  not  exceeding 
two  hundred  Pounds  —  and  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed 
in  case  the  Selectmen  purchase  the  same  to  give  his  Note  to  the 
Artillery  Company  on  Interest  for  said  Sum  —  and  the  Question 
being  put  passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[512.]  Adjournment  of  March  Meeting 

3.0:  Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  relative  to  Ferry  way  Street ;  Reported  —  & 
handed  into  the  Town  an  Estimate  of  the  charge  of  a  Sea  Wall  — 
the  same  having  been  read  &  considered  it  was  moved  & 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  he  Authorised  and  directed  to  pro- 
ceed in  building  a  Stone  Wall  on  Ferry  Street  with  Capstons  on 
the  Top  west  to  exceed  ten  feet  from  the  present  Wooden  Wharff 
or  Head,  if  the  Abuttors  previous  to  the  being  built  will  give 
from  under  hand  &  Seal,  so  much  of  their  Land  as  to  make  the 
said  Street  forty  feet  in  width  including  the  aforementioned  Stone 
Wall  &  Earth  sufficient  to  fill  up  the  same,  and  that  the  said  Sea 
Wall  shall  begin  at  the  New  Ferry  House  &  extend  so  far  as 
Mr.  G-oodings  Wharff  which  will  make  470  feet  in  Length  —  ' 

Moved  that  the  Vote  passed,  not  to  Instruct  the  Representa- 
tives, be  reconsidered  —  the  Question  being  put  —  Passed  in  the 
Negative  — 

about  350 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Collectors  Premium  — 
read,  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  this  Report  be  referred  to  the 
next  Town  Meeting  to  be  Notifyed  thereof  in  the  News  Papers  — 

Moved,  that  that  part  of  the  By  Law  relative  to  Sextons, 
which  requires  a  Badge  be  suspended  —  The  Question  being  put 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

[513.]     Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  Things  which  remain  un- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  119 

finished  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting  to  be 
called 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  4th  Day  of 
July  Anno  Domini  1786  — 10.  O'Clock  in  the  Forenoon 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

The  Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

The  Town  being  informed  that  Mr.  Adams  could  not  on  Ac- 
count of  urgent  business  leave  the  Senate  — 

John  Brown  Esq1-. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Meeting 

The  Committee  appointed  last  year  to  make  choice  of  a  Gen- 
telman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  this  Anniversey  of  Independance 

Reported 

That  they  had  made  choice  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Loring 
Austin  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  who  had  Accepted  to  that  ser- 
vice— 

[514.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Oration  for  the  pur- 
pose aforesaid  be  delivered  at  the  Chapel  Church  the  12th. 
O'Clock  leave  having  been  given  for  the  same  — 

Voted,  that  Messrs :  John  Andrews 

Ebenzr :  Hancock 

Thomas  Walley  Esq1. 
be  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr.  Austin  and  Acquaint  him  with  the 
aforegoing  Vote  — 

The  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  Chapel  Church  — 

12.  O'Clock  Met  at  the  Chapel  Church  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment— 

AN  ORATION 

to  commemorate  the  Independance  of  the  United  States,  was  de- 
livered by  Mr.  Jonathan  L.  Austin  at  the  Chapel  Church  to  a 
large  and  crouded  Assembly  — 

On  a  Motion,  Voted  that  the 
Selectmen 


120  City  Document. 

be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Mr.  Jona- 
than Loring  Austin  and  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  to  Thank  him 
for  the  Spirited  &  elagant  Oration  this  Day  delivered  by  him  at 
the  request  of  the  Town  upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independ- 
ance  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in-  which  According  to  the 
[515.]  Institution  of  the  Town,  he  considered  the  felings  Man- 
ners and  Principles  which  led  to  that  great  National  Event  — 
And  to  request  of  him  a  Copy  thereof  for  the  Press  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that 
The  Gentelmen  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a 
Committee  to  Apply  to  some  one  learned  and  able  Gentelman  to 
deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4t]1  of  July  A.  D.  1787  that  Day  being 
the  Anniversary  of  the  Independance  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  wherein  the  Orator  is  to  consider  the  feelings  manners 
&  principles  which  led  to  this  great  &  National  Event,  as  well  as 
the  important  and  happy  Effects  whether  general  or  Domestick, 
which  have  already,  and  will  forever  continue  to  flow  from  that 
Auspicious  Epoch 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[516.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders,  and  other  Inhab- 
itants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualefied  &  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  [Hall]  on  Thursday 
the  27S  of  July  A.  D  1786  —  9.  O'Clock  A:  M  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

The  Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

On  a  Motion  4  O'Clock  assigned  for  receiving  the  Votes  for  a 
County  Treasurer  &  the  Poll  to  be  closed  at  5 .  0  'Clock  P :  M  — 

The  Article  in  the  "Warrant  relative  to  setting  Fire  to  a  Public 
Building  on  Dock  Square  on  the  Night  of  the  20th  Ins* :  —  was 
read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  John  Gardiner  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell 
be  a  Committee  to  prepare  a  Vote  which  they  may  Judge  proper 
for  the  Town  to  Pass,  &  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

The  Report  of  the  Commfie :  relative  to  the  Collectors  Premieum 
for  Collecting,  referred  for  consideration  to  the  Adjournment, 
was  read  &  considered  &  the  Question  being  put  whether  the 
same  shall  be  Accepted  —  passed  in  the  Negative 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  121 

[517]  The  Report  of  the  Commee.  relative  to  the  Collectors 
Premium  for  Collecting  referred  for  consideration  to  the  Adjourn- 
ment was  read  &  considered  &  the  Question  being  put  whether 
the  same  shall  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  ' '  To  consider  &  determine 
what  Premieum  shall  be  Allowed  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the 
present  Year,  was  read  &  considered,  whereupon  the  following 
Vote  as  Altered  at  the  Adjournment  was  passed  by  the  Town 

Viz*. 

Voted,  that  four  per  cent  be  allow'd  and  hereby  is  allowed  to 
the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing,  for  all  such  Sums 
of  Money  &  public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  into 
the  several  Treasuries  of  the  Sums  committed  to  them  to  Collect 
within  ten  Months  from  the  Recept  of  the  Tax  Books,  and  three 
per  Cent  on  all  such  other  Sums  as  shall  afterwards  be  Collected, 
—  also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  sufficient  Sure- 
ties to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  Duty  in  said  Office  and  complying  with  this  Vote  ; 
and  that  they  will  not  receive  any  Premieum  or  Gratuity  for  dis- 
canting  Any  Order,  Note  or  Receipts  from  the  Treasurer  of  the 
of  the  Town  — 

[518.]  On  a  Motion,  3.  O'Clock  assigned  for  receiving  an 
Answer  from  the  Collectors,  whether  they  accept  to  serve  on  the 
foregoing  Terms  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  consider  what  Measures  shall 
be  adopted  for  the  more  effectual  &  speedy  Discovery  of  the 
Perepatrers  or  Pereptrators  of  that  premedatated  &  daring  Act 
of  Villainy,  in  setting  Fire  to  a  publick  Building  on  Market 
Square"  — Reported  as  follows  Vizt*. 

Voted,  that  this  Town  view  with  Abhorance  and  Detestation, 
the  execrable  Act  committed  by  some  daring  and  lawless  Incen- 
diary or  Incendiaries  on  the  Night  of  Thursday  the  20th  Day  of 
this  present  Month  of  July,  in  willfully  setting  Fire  to  the  Build- 
ing then  intended  for  a  Fish  Market  belonging  to  the  Town,  and 
then  erected  for  a  Fish  Market  belonging  to  this  Town,  and  then 
erected  in  Dock  Square  whereby  the  Town  was  not  only  injured  in 
its  property,  but  the  Safety  of  the  Neighbourhood  was  endan- 
gered, and  the  peace  &  quiet  of  the  Inhabitants  were  greatley 
disturbed  —  And  it  is  further  Voted,  that  this  Town  do  much 
Approve  of  the  conduct  of  their  Selectmen  in  the  Steps  which 
they  have  taken  to  discover  the  Perpetrator  or  Perpetrators  of  so 
daring  an  Act  of  lawless  Villainy ;  and  that  nothing  may  be 
Wanting  on  the  part  of  the  Town  to  bring  to  Justice  [519.]  and 
condign  Punishment  the  Incendiary  or  Incendiaries  aforesaid  — 
It  is  further  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  and  they  are  accordingly 


122  City  Document. 

hereby  hiipowered  to  increase  the  reward  for  the  Discovery  of 
such  Incendiariys  or  Incendiaries  so-  that  the  same  exceed  not 
the  Sum  of  Five  hundred  Dollars  to  be  paid  by  the  Parson  or 
Parsons  making  such  discovery  excepting  however  the  Incendiary 
or  Incendiarie  who  actualy  set  the  same  on  fire  the  same  to  be 
paid  out  of  the  Town  Treasurey  upon  conviction  of  any  one  or 
more  of  such  Incendiaries  that  the  Selectmen  do  apply 

to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  &  the  Council  and  request  his 
Excellency  with  the  Advice  and  consent  of  the  Council  to  Issue 
his  Proclamation  offering  a  full  Pardon  to  any  one  Accomplice 
or  any  of  the  Accomplices  concerned  [in]  such  Act  of  burning 
such  Building  excepting  however  the  Incendiary  or  Incendiaries 
who  Actualy  set  the  same  on  fire  upon  his  or  their  discovery  [of] 
such  Incendiary  or  Incendiaryes  who  so  actually  set  fire  to  the 
same 

The  foregoing  Votes  having  been  read  and  amended  in  the 
Meeting  were  Adopted  by  the  Town  — 

[520.]  The  Article  relative  to  Ferry  Way  Street  read  and 
the  consideration  thereof  referred  to  3'  O'Clock  when  Mr.  Newman 
is  desired  to  give  his  Attendance  — 

The  Committee  on  Master  Vinals  Petition  Reported  verbally, 
whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  give  order  for 
the  Payment  of  Mr.  John  Vinal  one  of  the  Schoolmasters  of  this 
Town  on  Mr.  Benjamin  Henderson  of  Such  Sums  as  are  now  due 
from  the  Town  to  the  said  Vinal  out  of  the  first  Monies  which  the 
said  Collector  shall  receive  in  his  capacity  of  Collector  after  he 
shall  have  discharged  the  Order  already  drawn  upon  him  in  favor 
of  several  Persons  Amounting  to  £687  ,,  4  ,,  10d  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M 
3'0'Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

Voted,  that  it  is  the  sense  of  the  Town  that  no  Money  shall  be 
paid  by  Mr.  Henderson  untill  Mr.  Vinal  is  paid,  except  Drafts 
for  what  is  due  from  the  Town  to  those  who  owe  Taxes  to  Mr. 
Henderson  and  are  willing  to  discount  the  same  — 

Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Ferry  Street  read  —  where- 
upon 

Voted,  that  this  Article  together  with  the  business  connected 
with  it  be  referred  to  the  Selectmen  at  large,  they  to  make  the 
best  Agreement  [521.]  they  are  Able  with  Mr.  Newman  and  to 
Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

Moved  that  the  Poll  for  choice  of  a  County  Register  be  as- 
signed at  half  past  5'  O'Clock  this  Afternoon  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  123 

John  Scollay 

Harbottle  Dorr  Esq'. 

Ezekiel  Pierce 

John  Brown  Esqr. 

Cap4.  Edward  Tyler 

Mr.  John  Andrews 

Mr.  Moses  Grant 

Mr.  William  Cunningham 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
were  chosen  to  Collect  sort  &  count  the  Votes  for  a  Register  of 
Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  the  written  Votes  for  each  Person 
as  are  qualified  by  the  Constitution  to  Vote  for  Representatives 
&  having  been  by  the  said 

John  Scollay 

Harbottle  Dorr 

Ezekiel  Price 

John  Brown 

Edward  Tyler 

John  Andrews 

Moses  Grant 

William  Cunningham 

Thomas  Walley 
Collected  sorted  and  counted,  it  appeared  that  the  following  Per- 
sons, were  Voted  for  as  a  [522.]  Register  of  Deeds  for  the 
County  of  Suffolk  and  had  the  number  of  Votes  set  against  their 
respective  Names  — 

Votes 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esqr. 276 

Mr:  Nathaniel  Green 374 

The  aforegoing  Record  was  read  in  Town  Meeting  and  exactly 
Copied  &  Attested  by  the  Town  Clerk  and  Sealed  up  in  Town 
Meeting  &  on  the  Other  side  of  the  Paper  a  Return  was  made  the 
Honble :  the  Clerk  of  the  General  Court  of  Sessions  of  the  Peace 
&  the  Paper  delivered  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions, 
to  be  by  him  delivered  Said  Court 

Then  the  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  Thursday  next  the  3d.  of 
August  3  O'Clock  Afternoon 

3.  O  Clock  P :  M  :    Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

A  Petition  of  Mr.  Thomas  a  late  Collectors  Bondsmen,  was 
read  — 

whereupon  the  following  Votes  drawn  up  by  one  of  the  Selectmen, 
was  laid  before  the  Town  &  by  them  Accepted  Viz*. 

On  a  Petition  of  Mr.  Elisha  Sigoney  &  Mr.  John  Hinkley  rel- 
ative to  a  Suit  now  depending  in  Law  brought  by  Peter  Boyer 
Esqr.  Town  Treasurer  against  Elias  Parkman  and  the  Executors 


124  City  Document. 

of  William  Burbeck  deceased  as  Bondsmen  to  Mr.  Alexander 
Thomas  a  late  [523.]  Collector  of  Taxes  for  the  Town,  and 
whereas  the  Affair  relative  to  Mr.  Thomas  was  not  entirely  com- 
pleated  at  the  March  Meeting,  and  stands  referred  over  to  this 
Meeting,  therefore 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  and  he  hereby  is  directed 
to  Stop  all  former  proceeding  in  said  Action,  and  he  is  also 
directed  to  receive  of  said  Bondsmen  the  Sums  of  Ninety  five 
pounds  thirteen  Shillings  &  ten  pence  in  ,  which  thr°. 

Mistake  was  paid  to  the  late  State  Treasurer  &  also  the  Sum  of 
£10  ,,  18  ,,  9  in  Specie,  which  two  Sums  will  be  in  full  of  all  de- 
mands the  Town  have  against  said  Alexander  Thomas  or  his 
Bondsmen ;  and  the  Treasurer  is  further  directed  on  receving 
said  two  Sums  to  discharge  them  Accordingly  they  paying  all 
charges  which  have  arisen  on  said  Suit  to  discharge  the  said 
Bondsmen  —  Also  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  retaine  in  the  Treasurey  the 
aforementioned  Sum  of  £95  ,,  13  ,,  10d.  untill  the  further  Orders 
of  the  Town  unless  he  cannot  avail  himself  of  an  exchange  with 
any  of  the  Collectors  of  the  Town  for  Silver  or  Gold  at  par 

The  Committee  relative  to  Ferry  Street  reported  verbally  — 
and  also  handed  in  to  the  Town  Mr.  Newmans  written  Proposals 
relative  to  Ferry  Street,  which  being  read,  and  the  Question  put 
whether  said  Proposals  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  ye.  Negative  — 

On  a  Motion  the  Question  was  put  viz*.  Whether  the  Town  will 
take  any  further  order  relative  to  Ferry  Street     Passed  in  the 

Negative  — 

[534.]  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  proceed  in 
compleating  the  Sea  Wall  &  Ferry  Street  Agreeably  to  the  Vote 
passed  by  the  Town  the  17th  of  May  last 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  September  8th  A.  D.  1786  — 
10  O'Clock  A:  M:  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

H6nWe :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand 
Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  or  Notification  together  with  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  125 

request  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  for  calling  the  Meeting 
—  read  whereupon  moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  chosen 
to  consider  the  Articles  in  the  Warrant  and  the  Request  at  large, 
and  to  draw  up  the  form  of  an  Address  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  and  to  Report  the  same  together  with  what  they  think 
may  be  further  necessary  to  be  done  at  this  critical  conjuncture 

On  a  Motion,  the  Governours  late  Proclamation  was  read 

[525.]      Voted,  that  the  Honble  :  Sam1 :  Adams  Esqr. 
HonWe :  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
Dr.  Charles  Jarvis 
HonWe :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
Jonathan  Jackson  Esq1'. 
Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next  8.  O  Clock  P.  M. 

Monday  11th  of  September  3.  O'Clock  P.  M.  Met  according 
to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  to  draw  up  the  form  of  an  Address  to  his  Ex- 
cellency the  Governor  and  Report  together  with  a  Circular  Letter 
which  they  propose  to  be  sent  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  several 
Towns  in  this  Commonwealth  which  being  both  read  &  considered 
—  the  Question  was  put  —  Whether  the  form  of  an  Address  to 
the  Governor,  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  —  It  was 
then 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  "who  Reported  said  Address,  be  a 
Committee  to  present  the  same  to  his  Excellency  James  Bowdoin 
Esq1'.  Governor  of  this  Commonwealth 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Circular  Letter  be  Accepted,  and  that 
the  Selectmen  be  desired  to  get  a  Suitable  number  printed  and 
sent  to  the  Several  Towns  in  this  State 

[536.]  The  Address  &  the  Circular  Letter  are  as  follows  — 
Viz*. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency 
The  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  legally  Assembled  in  Faneuil  [Hall]  beg  leave  to 
express  to  your  Excellency  their  Anxious  concern  for  the  Uneasi- 
ness that  has  arisen  &  to  bear  their  United  Testimoney  against 
those  illegal  Steps  which  have  been  unfortunately  &  we  are  in- 
clined to  believe  by  some  inconsiderately  taken  to  prevent  the 
due  execution  of  the  Laws  within  several  of  the  Counties  of  this 
Goverment  or  Commonwealth     Whatever  may  be  the  source  of 


126  City  Document. 

these  Commotions  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  are  Clearley  of 
Opinion  that  they  are  equally  repugnant  to  the  Constitution  as 
they  are  distructive  of  the  Peace  &  Order  of  Society  —  But  as 
they  feel  themselves  bound  by  every  tie  of  Affection  Interest  & 
Religion  to  their  Fellow  Citizens  throughout  the  State,  wherever 
they  are  situated  &  have  bled,  &  are  willing  again  to  bleed  by 
their  side  in  defence  of  Liberty  &  the  Constitution,  they  depre- 
ciate every  possible  Misunderstanding  among  Friends,  who  are 
thus  tenderly  United ;  They  rely  therefore  on  the  Wisdom  Zeal 
&  Patriotism  of  your  Excellency  &  of  the  legislative  Body,  which 
they  are  happy  in  finding  is  so  early  to  be  convened  that  the  true 
causes  of  these  difficulties  will  be  fully  explored  &  Speedily  re- 
moved, in  order  that  Peace  &  Unanimity  may  be  restored,  &  that 
the  constitutional  Securiety  of  the  Lives,  Liberties  &  Property 
[527.]  of  the  People  of  this  State  may  remaine  unimpared  — 
But  while  they  thus  most  earnestly  wish  for  the  restoration  of 
Harmony  &  that  no  mild  &  lenient  Measures  may  be  omitted  to 
Accomplish  so  happy  an  Event,  they  Assure  your  Excellency  of 
their  unvaried  determination,  to  cooperate  in  support  of  constitu- 
tional G-overmant.  In  the  firm  belief  that  the  true  happiness  of 
the  People  at  Large  is  indissolubly  connected  with  the  unmolested 
Enjoyment  of  this  inestimable  Blessing  &  that  Reverence  &  Sub- 
mission to  the  Laws  are  our  great  Security,  as  well  as  the  bright- 
est Ornaments  in  the  character  of  good  Citizens  — 

To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
Friends  &  Fellow  Citizens 

The  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  can  never  remaine  the  unconserned  Spectators 
of  the  distress  and  calamity  of  their  Fellow  Cityziens  in  any  part 
of  the  Commonwealth  your  generous  Friendship  to  us  Evidenced 
as  well  by  your  Liberal  donations  as  Otherwise,  when  we  were 
peculiarly  Suffering  in  the  great  Cause  of  our  Country  can  never 
fail  to  warm  our  hearts  with  the  highest  Sentiments  of  Friendship 
for  you  ;  and  we  are  perswaded  that  the  Exertions  we  were  then 
called  to  make  for  our  own  common  Safety,  have  got  a  place  in 
your  kind  remembrance  [528.]  Thus  united  as  we  conceive  in 
Sentement,  and  Affection  as  well  as  in  Interest  with  that  cordial- 
lity,  which  must  and  ever  will  Subsist  amongst  a  Virtuous  and 
enlightned  People  in  a  free  Country  we  take  the  Liberty  to  Ad- 
dress you  as  those  Commotions  which  have  two  widley  Spread 
within  the  Commonwealth  you  will  Suffer  us  to  reason  on  this 
Occasion  with  a  freedom  which  is  the  part  of  sincere  Friendship  / 
for  we  do  Assure  you  that  our  Country  can  never  feel  a  Political 
or  civil  evil,  which  we  will  not  Chearfully  bear  a  part  of  untill 
our  Joint  Exertions  can  obtain  a  Constitutional  Redress  We  do 
not  conceive  it  to  be  our  duty  to  decide,  whether  the  greviances 
mentioned  by  the  Conventions  in  some  of  the  Counties  in  the 
State  really  exist,  or  not ;  but  we  beg  leave  to  Submit  it,  dispas- 
sionate, and  candid  decision,  whether  if  they  have  a  real  Exist- 
ance  the  Tumultious  Methods  Adopted  by  some  Assemblies  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  127 

Men  within  the  Government  are  proper  Measures  to  Obtain  a  Re- 
dress. When  we  dissolved  our  conexion  with  the  Empire  of 
Britain,  we  then  (politically  speaking)  had  it  in  our  election  to 
remaine  in  a  State  of  Nature  or  to  ordain  for  ourselves  such  form 
of  Government,  as  we  chose,  we  were  then  in  a  State  recognized 
by  the  first  Article  of  the  decleration  of  Rights  free  and  equal,  and 
nothing  but  our  own  voluntary  consent,  given  in  a  Solemn  Com- 
pact, could  [529.]  reduce  us  to  a  form  of  civil  Government  it 
required  no  great  share  of  Wisdom  however  to  discern,  that  unless 
we  threw  ourselves  into  that  State,  we  could  Neither  defend 
ourselves  against  a  foreign  invasion  or  be  preserved  from  the 
depredations  of  wicked  and  abandoned  Men  Amongst  ourselves, 
therefore  the  People  inhabiting  the  Territory  called  the  Prov- 
ince of  Massachusetts  Bay  by  a  voluntary  Affection  formed  a 
Solem  Compact,  and  in  a  Solem  Appeal  to  the  great  Legis- 
lator of  the  universe,  the  whole  People  convenated  with  each 
Citizen  and  Each  Citezen  with  the  whole  People  to  be  governed 
by  certain  known  and  Established  Laws  for  the  common  good  & 
Security  of  all  by  the  same  solemn  compact,  the  powers  of  Legis- 
lation, and  the  Authority  for  due  Execution  of  the  Laws  were 
provided,  and  Established  and  we  then  did,  and  as  yet  do  con- 
ceive that  all  was  alone  with  such  caution,  and  restrictions  that 
no  Man  or  body  of  Men,  who  shall  Oppress  or  invade  the  rights 
of  the  smallest  Individual,  can  express  with  impunity  in  the  same 
compact,  the  People  solemnly  agreed,  to  support  the  Constitution 
for  the  space  of  fifteen  years,  and  made  Ample  provision  for  the 
revision  of  it,  at  the  end  of  that  Period  if  it  should  then  be 
thought  necessary,  their  is  no  officer  Either  high  or  low  within 
the  Commonwealth  [530.]  who  does  not  derive  his  whole 
Authority  from  the  People,  and  who  is  not  amenable  to  a  proper 
&  Adaquate  tribunal  for  his  Conduct  —  There  are  indeed  evils 
which  are  common  to  the  whole  human  Race,  founded  in  the 
depravity  an  imperfections  of  Mankind  and  there  are  others  the 
unhappy  lot  of  some  Countries  arising  from  their  situation,  or  the 
deep  revolted  habits  of  the  people  possessing  them,  both  which 
are  alike  incapable  of  being  cured  by  any  Acts  of  Government,  or 
exertions  of  human  Power;  but  must  be  left  to  the  Accedents 
and  Changes  of  time  for  a  remidy  ;  should  corrupt,  and  dissigning 
Men  inflame  the  Spirits  of  the  People,  to  demand  of  their  Riders 
the  removal  of  such  evils,  their  own  reflections  would  sooner  or 
later  point  them  to  their  Mistake.  If  greviances  have  arisen  in 
the  Goverment,  surely  the  Voice  of  the   People  may  be  taken 


128  City  Document. 

without  flying  to  Arms :  and  no  one  can  wish  to  dissolve  our 
happy  Constitution  unless  Another  is  substituted  in  its  place  ,*  for 
a  State  of  Anarchy  is  to  be  dreaded  Above  all  other  Calamities, 
because  theire  is  no  evil  which  it  does  not  involve  but  to  us  as  we 
shall  take  leave  by  and  by  to  submit  to  your  consideration  conse- 
quences would  flow  from  such  a  State,  which  would  Cause  each 
true  American  within  the  Commonwealth,  ever  to  regret,  that  he 
had  ever  tasted  the  Sweets  of  evil  freedom. 


[End  of  Book  Seven.] 


[Continued  in  Book  Eight.] 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  129 


BOSTON    TOWN    RECORDS. 


[EIGHTH   BOOK.] 


[1.]  If  the  Citizens  of  the  State  Labor  under  Greivances 
which  can  be  redressed  by  the  Acts  of  the  Legislature,  we  conceive 
that  their  Priviledges  in  this  case,  can  never  be  enlarged,  for  the 
General  Court  are  chosen  Annually  by  the  People  &  though  in 
one  Year,  our  Complaints  are  not  Attended  to,  Yet  we  can  in  the 
next  Election  ;  place  Men  in  power  who  will  Answer  our  reason- 
able expectations,  and  we  are  constrained  to  say,  that  we  are 
ignorant  of  the  Time,  when  the  Representatives  of  the  People  in 
this  State,  have  not  duly  Attended  to  the  Instructions  of  their 
Constituents,  some  Towns  have  Indeed,  given  instructions  con- 
trary to  the  Sentements  of  the  Majority  in  the  State  and  they 
therefore  have  not  succeeded,  but  is  not  this  Always  the  case, 
where,  in  society  the  Compact  is,  for  the  Minority  to  submit  to 
the  Majority?  let  the  Majority  be  ever  so  much  in  the  wrong,  is 
there  Any  remedy  within  the  reach  of  Nature,  compatible  with 
the  Ideas  of  Society,  and  Goverment  to  say  the  Majority  shall 
not  Govern,  is  saying  either,  that  we  will  reduce  Ourselves  to  a 
State  of  Nature,  reject  the  Ideas  of  civil  Liberty,  Establish  a  des- 
potism, and  be  subject  to  the  Sovereign  Pleasure  of  one  Man . 
We  then  beg  You  to  consider  whether  instructing  Our  Represent- 
atives who  serve  us  in  the  Legislature  is  not  our  great  remedy 
against  any  ills  we  Suffer ;  and  which  are  within  the  Compass  of 
human  power  to  redress.  As  we  have  taken  leave  to  hint  to  you 
the  Mode  in  which,  under  the  Goverment  Established  by  our 
common  consent,  we  conceive  all  grievances  ought  to  be  reme- 
died ;  we  will  now  beg  your  Patience  and  Earnestly  solicit  your 
candor  while  we  mention  some  of  the  consequences,  which  we 
think  must  flow  from  a  Continuance  of  the  present  Commotions 
as  an  Introduction  [2.]  to  this  part  of  our  Address,  we  will  take 
a  restrospective  view  of  our  late  situation,  and  compare  our 
present,  with  that  in  which  we  should  have  been,  had  not  the 
noble  Exertions  of  America,  in  defence  of  the  dearest  rights  of 
mankind  prevented  it.  —  Taxed  by  great  Britain,  unconstitution- 
ally, and  illegally,  the  quantity  demanded,  was  not  the  Object  of 
the  important  stand  then  made,  but   the  obvious  intention,  of 


130  City  Document. 

reducing  to  Absolute  Slavery  to  a  Prince  on  an  Island,  at  three 
thousand  Miles  distance,  the  People  of  an  whole  Continent :  de- 
manded an  Opposition  worthy  of  the  blood  and  treasure  expended 
in  it.  our  public  Assemblies  in  Towns,  and  elswhere,  were  pro- 
hibited :  and  every  precaution  taken  to  deprive  us,  of  the  enjoy- 
ment even  of  /Social  Pity,  and  joint  complaint  a  standing  Army, 
cruelly  hostile  as  well  from  their  deep  rooted  prejudices,  as 
the  sanguinary  nature  of  their  Errand,  supported  at  our  own  Ex- 
pence,  was  employ 'd,  to  prostitute  us  before  each  haughty  Minion 
who  chose  to  insult  ox  plunder  us,  where  then  was  the  dignity  of 
Man  !  and  where,  had  they  succeded,  could  the  Heaven  born  ideas 
of  Civil  freedom  be  Entertained ;  even  a  Sigh  for  the  sweets  of 
Liberty,  ivould  have  been  treason;  how  reverse  of  this  is  our  now 
happy  situation  !  subjected  to  no  Laws  but  such  as  are  made  by 
a  Legislature  of  our  own  election  Agreeably  to  the  form  of  Gov- 
erment  Established  by  our  own  consent,  taxed  by  our  own  Repre- 
sentatives only,  and  controuled  by  no  Authority  but  what  is  de- 
rived from  ourselves  While  we  contended  for  a  Jewell  of  this 
immense  value,  still  invaded  on  every  side  by  the  Scourging  Arm 
of  despotism ;  how  solemnly  did  we  Appeal  to  that  Being,  who 
sees  the  inmost  recesses  of  our  hearts,  and  how  sacredly  did  we 
pledge  [3.]  our  Lives,  and  fortunes  to  each  other,  and  to  our 
Congress,  in  the  glorious  Contest  &  shall  we  now  Accomplish 
the  wishes,  and  fulfill  the  prediction  of  our  Enemies,  in  meanly 
receding  from  all  our  engagements.  It  is  possible  that  any  con- 
siderate man  should  suppose,  that  we  as  a  people  ought  to,  or 
can  be  Exempted  from  the  calamities,  and  difficulties  incident  to 
human  Life?  were  we  not  at  all  times  aware  that  there  is  no 
Medium  between  a  State  of  Government  and  a  State  of  Nature, 
and  that  the  latter  at  all  times  is  a  State  of  "Warfare,  where  no 
man  has  a  property  in  even  the  produce  of  his  own  Labor  but 
only  a  precarious  possession,  maintained  by  force?  or  did  any 
among  us  vainly  believe,  that  we  could  enjoy  the  blessings  of  Gov- 
ernment without  an  expence  Attending  it?  as  well  might  they  Ex- 
pect that  the  Earth  would  yield  her  fruits  without  tillage,  and 
that  Man  could  subsist  without  Labor  &  pain  the  unalterable 
Laws  of  Nature  have  fixed  it,  that  the  path  to  political,  public 
or  private  happiness  is  directed  Alone  through  industry  and 
frugality,  and  we  surely  ought  to  submit  to  the  common  lot  of 
humanity,  without  repining  because  it  is  one  of  the  first  dictates 
of  religion,  We  are  very  sensible  that  the  habits  of  Luxury  con- 
tracted in  the  Late  War ;  from  the  vast  quantity  of  Goods  im- 
ported, and  the  too  great  profusion  of  Money  together  with 
receiving,  and  giving  unlimitted  Credit  have  involved  many  fami- 
lies in  distress,  and  have  much  diminished  our  Ability  for  paying 
those  Just  debts  contracted  in  the  day  of  our  distress,  As  the 
price  of  our  freedom,  [4.]  but  shall  we  because  Many  of  us  are 
now  distressed  Entail  Ruin  upon  our  Posterity ;  let  us  lay  aside 
the  destructive  fashions  and  expensive  superfluities  of  the  day, 
be  sober,  temperate   and   industrious,  and   by  the  blessings  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1786.  131 

propitious  Heaven  we  shall  soon  retrieve  our  circumstances,  and 
Establish  our  public  Credit.  When  we  consider  the  Nature  of 
the  present  commotions,  it  presents  to  us  the  very  important 
question  whether  we  shall  exist  as  a  Nation  upon  the  Earth?  for 
we  are  by  no  means  ignorant,  that  Congress  by  our  Consent,  and 
to  our  inexpressible  Joy,  &  Satisfaction  procured  from  our 
Allies,  A  loan  of  Specie  the  Interest  whereof,  we  are  Obliged 
Annually  to  discharge  :  the  Shutting  up  the  Courts  of  Justice  pre- 
venting the  due  Execution  of  the  Laws  and  Arresting  the  Collec- 
tion of  Public  Taxes  Anihilates  our  Goverment,  and  loudly  pro- 
claims to  our  foreign  Creditors,  their  Total  insecurity  should 
their  Patience,  and  Lenity  supported  by  a  hope  of  our  reclaiming 
ourselves,  and  correcting  our  Error,  keep  .their  Sword  in  the 
Sheath,  yet  we  may  have  an  Enemy,  who  will  Embrace  the  un- 
lucky. Moment,  should  their  ever  be  one,  when  he  finds  us  with- 
out resources,  without  Credit  and  without  an  Ally,  and  deeply 
revenge  himself,  for  the  disgrace  his  Arms  have  sustained.  Were 
there  any  among  us  so  depraved,  as  to  wish  to  return  to  the 
Domination  of  great  Britain,  they  may  easily  perceive  that  the 
Nations  of  Europe,  would  never  permit  such  a  Union  of  Power ; 
but  divide  us  Amongst  them.  Our  feelings  would  indeed  on  such 
an  Occasion  point  us  to  a  remedy  perhaps  less  disgracef ull ;  the 
Establishment  of  a  [5.]  domestic,  instead  of  a  foreign  Despot- 
ism :  supported  by  a  standing  Army,  maintained  by  our  own 
toil  to  awe  us  into  such  Submission  that  every  idea  of  freedom, 
shall  be  finally  and  totally  Eradicated".  When  we  have  seen  the 
Patriot  close  his  Eyes  in  death,  with  gratitude,  and  rapture 
committing  his  posterity  to  the  Arms  of  Liberty  shall  we  see 
others  Agonising  in  their  last  moments,  at  yeilding  their  Chil- 
dren to  the  chains  of  Vassalage  ?  forbid  it  that  Spirit  of  free- 
dom which  has  so  long,  annimated  and  enlightened  America ! 
forbid  it  Heaven.  Finding  that  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  pur- 
suant to  the  duties  of  his  Office  by  Advice  of  Council,  has  called 
upon  all  the  good  People  of  the  State  to  lend  their  Aid,  in  pre- 
venting the  impending  ruin  we  can  do  no  less  than  to  recognize 
Anew  our  Solemn  Engagements  to  support  the  Goverment  we 
have  so  lately,  and  deliberately  Established  and  we  feel  ourselves 
Assured,  that  our  Numerous  well  Affected  fellow  Citizens  in 
every  Town  will  shew  their  readiness  to  join  in  an  Effort,  so 
clearly  pointed  out,  as  the  first  duty  in  Society.  —  We  are  con- 
vinced that  the  present  disturbances,  arise  from  British  Emis- 
saries residing  Among  us,  whose  every  wish  is  for  our  Overthrow 
and  ruin,  or  from  the  Machinations,  of  Wicked,  and  unprincipled 
Men  who  seek  their  oion  Emoluments  to  the  destruction  of  their 
Country,  or  from  a  Combination  of  both  :  but  though  many  of  our 
fellow  Citizens,  are  deceived  by  them;  and  betrayed  into  a  dan- 
gerous Mistake,  yet  we  trust  that  they  will  on  recollection,  Spurn 
from  their  Councils  such  base  and  infamous  Men  ;  and  that  a  care- 
ful discrimination  will  be  made  in  every  Town,  between  those 
who  are  and  those  who  are  not  for  the  support  of  a  Goverment 


132  City  Document. 

no  less  Necessary,  to  the  happiness,  than  to  the  security,  [6.]  of 
the  Lives  Liberty,  and  properties  of  the  people.  Fellow  Citizens. 
We  now  intreat  you  by  the  Mutual  ties  of  friendship,  and  Affec- 
tion by  the  Sacred  compact  which  holds  us  in  one  Society — by  the 
blood  of  our  Brethren  Shed  to  Obtain  our  freedom  — -  by  the  tender 
regard  we  feel  for  our  rising  Offspring  Claiming  freedom  from 
our  hands  as  their  Inheritance,  by  the  grant  of  Heaven  to  use 
your  endeavours  that  redress  of  greviances  be  sought  for  in,  A 
constitutional  and  Orderly  way  only  :  and  we  pledge  ourselves  to 
join  our  Exertions  with  yours  in  the  same  way,  to  Obtain  redress 
for  any  such  as  do  really  exist 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[7.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants, 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  December  11  A.  D. 
1786.  10  OClock  before  Noon  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     read 

Isaac  Smith  Esq1' : 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

The  Meeting  being  Attended  by  very  few  of  the  Inhabitants, 
it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  it  be  Adjourned  to  Tuesday  the  12th 
Ins* :  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  —  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  State  of  the  Alms 
house,  was  read  &  considered  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Josiah  Waters  Esqr. 

Col0.  Bradford 

Cap*.  Soams 

John  R.  Sigorney 

Gibbins  Sharp 

Deacon  Simpkins 

Mr.  John  Parker 

Cap*.  Mongo  Mackay 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed   a  Committee  to  procure  hands  to 
the  following  Subscription  Viz*. 

Whereas  the  Poor  in  the  Almshouse  are  suffering  for  Want  of 
Bread  &  the  Subscribers  in  order  for  their  Relief,  promise  to  pay 
the  Sums  [8.]  Affixed  to  our  several  Names,  upon  being  served 
with  Receipts  therefor  from  the  Town  Treasurer  as  part  of  the 
Tax  due  from  us  to  the  Town  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Beacon  Hill  —  was  — 
read  &  considered  —  whereupon  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  133 

Voted,  that  it  be  Left  to  the  Selectmen  to  treat  About  the  sd. 
Land  &  Report  at  March  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[9.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  12th 
Day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1787.  10  °Clock  Forenoon 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr :  Everett 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  enjoyned  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  accord- 
ingly    -     -     -     read 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  same  being  brought 
in  and  sorted 

It  Appeared  that  the 

HonWe :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr : 
was  chosen  — 

William  Cooper  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
of  Office  for  the  faithfull  discharge  of  his  duty,  which  Oath  was 
Administered  to  him  by  M1'.  Justice  Price  —  &  the  Oath  of  Al- 
ligance  which  was  Administered  by  Samuel  Barrett  Esq1' 

The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  choose  Nine  Select- 
men the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  [10.]  that  Number,  and  the  same  being  brought 
in  and  sorted  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Oentelmen  Viz*. 

John  Scollay  Esqr. 
Harbottle  Dorr  Esq1. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'. 
John  Brown  Esqr. 
Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 
Mr.  John  Andrews 

Mr.  Moses  Grant excused 

M1'.  William  Cunningham     -     -     excused 
Thomas  Walley 
were  chosen  Selectmen  for  ye.  Year  ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P.  M  — 

3  O'Clock  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Inhabitants,  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 


134  City  Document. 

Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  having 
been  brought  in  sorted,     it  Appeared  that 

The  Honble :  William  Phillips  Esq1',  excused 
Isaac  Smith  Esq1'. 
.Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 
Mr.  Samuel  Whit  well 
John  White  Esqr. 
Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 
William  Powell  Esqr. 
John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Mr.  Henry  Prentice      ...     -     excused 
M1'.  Jonathan  L.  Austin 
Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[11.]  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  sixteen  Fire  Wards ;  and  the  same  having  been 
brought  in  and  sorted,  it  Appeared  that  — 

William  Cooper  Esq1'. 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esq1'.  —  (excused) 

Edward  Proctor  Esq1'. 

Mr.  John  Lowell 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 

Thomas  Melvill  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  Winthrop 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 

Cap*.  John  Ballard 

Andrew  Syms  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark 

Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 

Mr.  Henry  Bass 

Col0.  John  May 

Paul  D.  Sergant  Esqr. 
were  chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  Year  ensuing. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  To  consider  the  Proposals  to 
the  Honourable  John  Hancock  Esqr.  that  a  Committee  may  be 
Appointed  to  confer  with  him,  relative  to  an  Exchange  of  Prop- 
erty claimed  by  him  on  Beacon  Hill,  for  the  House  called  the 
Granary,  and  the  Spot  of  Land  on  which  it  stands"  —  was  read 
—  whereupon  moved  &  Voted  that 

[12.]  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
John  Scollay  Esq1'. 
Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
Hobble.  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  135 

be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  Mr.  Hancock  relative  to  the  same, 
&  they  are  directed  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  a  Clerk  of  Fanuiel  Hall  Market, 
upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that 

Mr.  Matthew  Nazro 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  said  Market 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  and  brought  in  their  Votes  for  a 
Town  Treasurer  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that  — 

M1'.  Peter  Boyer 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  —  who  took 
the  Oath  of  Office  &  the  Oath  of  Alligance  which  were  Admin- 
istered by  the  Town  Clerk 

Votes,  for  a  Treasurer  of  ye.  County  of  Suffolk  brought  in,  and 
counted  by  the  Moderator  &  Town  Clerk  when  it  Appeared  that 
the  whole  number  was  three  hundred  seventy  Nine  &  that  they 
were  all  for  Mr.  Alexander  Hodgdon  a  discreet  suitable  Person 
being  a  Freeholder  &  Resident  in  the  same  County  — 

On  the  Representation  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor.  Moved  that 
a  Committee,  be  Appointed  to  confer  with  the  Overseers,  relative 
to  the  Annual  Expence  of  the  Alms  House  &  to  lay  a  Statement 
thereof  before  the  Town  also  to  devise  ways  and  means  for  de- 
fraying said  Expence  &  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

Voted,  that  Honble :  James  Sullivan 

Thomas  W  alley  Esqr. 
[13.]  Nathaniel  Appleton  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

The  Article  relative  to  the  choise  of  Wardens  read  whereupon 
Moved,  that  the  consideration  of  the  choise  of  Wardens  be  refered 
to  the  Meeting  of  this  Town  that  may  be  called  next  After  the 
setting  of  the  General  Court  in  May  next    -     -     -     - 

And  the  Question  being  Accordingly  put  —  Passed  in  the 
Affermative 

Messrs :  James  Thompson 
Thomas  Bayley 
Benjamin  Henderson 
Charles  Williams 
were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  &  took  & 
signed  the  Oaths  prescribed  by  Law  which  Oaths  were  Admines- 
tred  by  the  Town  Clerk  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 


136  City  Document. 

Tuesday  10  OClock  A  M.     Met  According  to  Adjournment — 

The  Petition  of  William  Davis  read  —  whereupon,  Voted,  that 
the  Selectmen  be  &  hereby  are  instructed  &  impowered  to  Ap- 
point a  Referre,  or  Refferees  to  meet  with  such  Referre  or  Ref- 
ferees as  may  be  Appointed  by  the  Heirs  of  the  late  Dr.  William 
Davis  upon  the  Subject  of  the  said  Petition  &  to  Abide  by  the 
Award  or  determination  of  the  sd.  Referres  in  behalf  of  the  Town 
N  B  Mr.  William  Davis  one  of  the  Heirs  aforesaid,  was  present 
in  the  Meeting  &  agreed  on  the  Part  ot  the  Heirs  aforesaid,  to 
abide  by  said  determination  — 

[14.]  Voted,  fhat  the  Above  Vote  be  reconsidered,  And  the 
Petitioner  has  leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition. 

The  Town  having  determined  that  five  Assessors  should  be 
chosen  the  Inhabitants  as  directed  withdrew  &  brought  in  their 
Votes  accordingly  &  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

Messrs :  William  Lowder 

Gyles  Harris 

William  Fleet 

Moses  May 

Samuel  Ruggles 
were  chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing  —  &  took  &  signed 
Oaths  According  to  Law.     Oaths   Administered   by  the   Town 
Clerk  — 

Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be  six  Shillings  ^ 
Day  for  the  time  they  may  set  in  doing  the  buisness  of  their 
Office 

Voted,  that  four  per  cent  be  Allowed  and  hereby  is  allowed  to 
the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  for  all  such  Sums 
of  Money  &  public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  into 
the  several  Treasuries  of  the  Sums  committed  to  them  to  Collect 
within  ten  Months  from  the  Receipt  of  the  Tax  Books,  and  three 
Per  Cent  on  all  such  other  Sums,  as  shall  Afterward,  be  Col- 
lected, Also  that  such  Collector  shall  give  Bond  with  sufficient 
Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  Duty  in  said  Office  and  complying  with  this  Vote ; 
and  that  they  will  not  receive  Any  Premium  or  Gratuity  for  dis- 
counting any  Order,  Note  or  Receipts  from  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State  or  the  Treasurer  of  the  Town  — 

[15.]  Mr.  Grant  &  Mr.  Cunningham  having  declined  serving 
a  Selectman  the  present  Year  3.  O'Clock  P.  M.  Assigned  for 
filling  up  the  Vacancies.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  137 

to  Mr.  Moses  Grant  &  Mr.  William  Cunningham  for  their  faith- 
full  Services,  as  Selectmen  the  last  Year  — 
Voted,  that  The  HonWe :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 

Isaack  Smith  Esq1'. 

Edward  Payne  Esqr. 

Nathaniel  Appleton  Esq1'. 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  Estimate  what  Sums  will  be  Necessary  to  be 
raised  by  the  Town,  for  the  Expencies  of  the  Current  Year,  As 
Also  to  consider,  what  Sums  will  be  proper  to  Allow  the  Several 
Salary  Men  for  their  Services  the.  present  Year,  Also  to  devise 
ways  &  Means  for  the  discharge  of  ye.  Arrearages  due  to  the 
School  Masters  &  the  more  punctual  payment  of  their  Salarys  in 
future. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Election  of  Surveyors  of  Boards  & 
Staves  be  by  Ballot  &  that  the  choise  come  on  After  the  Select- 
men — 

Mr.  William  McNeil 
chosen  Surveyor  of  Hemp  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mess1-3 :  Benjamin  White 
Edmund  Ranger 
James  Ridgway 
Andrew  Townsande  Junr. 
William  Todd 
were  chose  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[16.]  Messrs :  John  Fenno  Junr.  declines 

William  Billings 
Thomas  Bradley 
Sam1.  Bangs 
Nathan  Green 
were  chose  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Adam  Colson 

Abraham  Adams 
were  chose  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  John  Skinner 
George  Hamlin 
William  Sharp 
William  Billings 
were  chose  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Mess" :  George  Hamlin 
SamuerCurtis 
John  Skinner 
for  North  Department 
were  chose  Haywards  for  the  Year  ensuing 


138  City  Document. 

Mess1'8 :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chose  Assay  Masters  for  the  Year  ensuing 

■      Messr8 :  John  White  Esq1'. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  Wheat  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 
Edward  Payne  Esqr. 
Joseph  Russell  Junr. 

Mr.  Alexander  Hill 

Mr.  William  Parsons 
[17.]  be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the 
Accompts  of  the  Town  Treasurer  &  also  the  Accompts  of  the 
Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  that  they  make  Report  at  the  Next 
March  Meeting ;  and  the  said  Committee  are  desired  to  Report 
from  time  to  time  a  State  of  the  Treasury  and  on  Any  Matters 
relating  to  the  Treasurey  or  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  which  they 
may  think  proper,  and  the  said  Committee  are  also  desired  to  ex- 
amine the  Draughts  of  the  Selectmen,  and  the  Vouchers  for  the 
same  and  it  is  further  Voted,  that  Interest  be  Allowed  to  such  of 
the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  as  shall  Advance  Money  for  the  Use  of 
the  Poor,  from  the  expiration  of  the  Year  untill  paid  — 

Mr.  Tilestons  Petition read  & 

committed  to  the  Committee  to  prepare  an  Estimate  &  devise 
ways  means  &c.  and  to  report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

Adjourned  to  3  OClock  P  :  M  :  3  O'Clock  P.  M.  Met  Accord- 
ing to  Adjournment. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz1.  Whether  the  Selectmen  shall 
be  Authorized  to  execute  Deeds  of  certain  Lands  in  order  to  be 

sold  or  near  on  the  Neck     -     -     -     was  read 

-     -     -     Whereupon 

Voted,  That  whereas  the  Selectmen  in  pursuance  of  a  Vote  of 
this  Town  of  the  Fifth  of.  April  1785.  have  made  certain  Agree- 
ments touching  Lands  mentioned  in  said  Vote  and  have  made 
certain  Deeds  of  part  of  said  Lands  —  and  promised  further 
Deeds  of  Other  Parts  of  said  Lands 

[18.]  Therefore  Voted,  that  the  Deeds  already  made  as 
aforesaid  be  &  hereby  are  confirmed  and  also  that  the  Selectmen 
be  &  they  are  hereby  Authorized  to  execute  such  further  Deeds 
as  may  be  necessary  to  convey  all  the  Lands  meant  to  be  con- 
veyed in  the  Vote  of  April  5th  Above  Mentioned 

Petition  relative  to  the  Moneys  due  to  the  Heirs  of  the  late 
David  Jeffries  Esqr.  read  whereupon 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  139 

Voted  that 

Mr.  Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Mr.  Alexander  Hill 

Mr.  Alexander  Hodgdon 
be  a  committee  to  take  the  Petition  into  consideration  &  Report 
as  soon  as  may  be  what  may  be  proper  to  be  done  thereon  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  two  Selectmen  and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
sorted  it  Appeared  that  — 

Deacon  William  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever  see  Page  10 

were  chose  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
enjoined  by  Law  which  were  Administred  by  the  Town  Clark  ta 
them  &  the  Other  Selectmen  — 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  twelve  Constables, 
and  the  same  being  sorted  it  Appeared  that 

Messrs :  William  Cooper  the  2d. 

Samuel  Smith 

John  M°Lane 

Sam1.  Whitney 
[19.]  Pool  Spear 

Shubael  Hewes 

Benjamin  Homans 

John  Butterfield 

James  Williams 

Francis  Booth 

John  Bosson 

James  Perkins 
were  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  following  Persons  were  chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the 
Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Caleb  Gibbs 

Thomas  English 
Nath1.  Bethune 
James  Price  Junr. 
Charles  Bulfinch 
William  Deblois 
James  Lovel  Junr. 
Samuel  Cabot 
James  Perkins  Junr. 
Andrew  Hall 
Samuel  Williams  Junr. 
Isaac  Winslow 

The  Petition  of  Richard  Salter  one  of  the  late  Collector  Grays. 
Bondsmen  read  whereupon 


140  City  Document. 

Voted,  that  Alexander  Hill 

Joseph  Russell  Junr. 

Joseph  G-reenleaf  Es<p\ 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  Petition  into  Consideration  &  Report 
what  is  proper  to  be  done  thereon  at  the  Adjournment 

[20.]  Messrs :  Joseph  Ballard 

Henry  Blaisdel 

John  Champney 

Beujamin  Page 

Joseph  Ayres 

Benjamin  White 

Abraham  Howard 

Clement  Collins 

Joshua  Bently 

Samuel  Dyer 

James  Rogers 

Edmund  Ranger 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  Boards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mess1'8 :  Job  Wheelwright 
Joshua  Pico 
Manassah  Marston 
Arthur  Langford 
John  Owen 
Caleb  Hayden 
Joseph  Basset 

The  Consideration  of  the  Boundary  Line  refered  to  the  Ad- 
journment — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  &  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Honble.  William  Phillips  Esqr.  for  his  faithful  Services  as 
Overseer  of  the  Poor  a  Number  of  Years. 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  next  the  20th  Instant  10  OClock  — 

[21.]  Tuesday  the  20th  Day  of  March  10  OClock  Forenoon 
—  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

Mr.  Henry  Prentice  having  excused  himself  from  serving  as  an 
Overseer  of  the  Poor  the  ensuing  Year 

Voted  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  Cap*.  Henry  Prentice  for  his  faithful  Services  as  Overseer  of 
the  Poor  for  several  Years  past 

Upon  the  Report  of  the  Committee  Appointed  to  prepare  an 
Estimate  &c  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  141 

Voted,  that  said  Committee  be  desired  to  make  Report  at  the 
May  Meeting  —  the  Above  Vote  reconsidered 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esq1' :  Appointed  one  of  the  Committee  on  the 
late  Treasurer  Jeffries  Esq1'.  Executors  Petition  in  the  room  of 
Mr.  Hill  who  declined  serving ;  &  said  Committee  are  desired  to 
Report  at  May  Meeting 

The  Committee  on  Mr.  Hancocks  Petition  are  desired  to  Report 
at  May  Meeting  — 

The  Question  being  put  Viz*,  whether  the  Town  will  Act  upon 
the  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  choosing  a  Representative 
for  the  Remainder  of  the  Year  in  the  room  of  Leonard  Jarvis 
Esqr :  — passed  in  the  Negative  = — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  confer  with  the  Overseers  of  the 
Poor  relative  to  the  Annual  expence  of  the  Alms  House,  and  to 
lay  a  State  before  the  Town  Also  to  devise  ways  and  means  for 
defraying  the  [23.]  Expence  in  future  —  Report  as  follows  that 
they  find  the  Annual  Expence  to  be  about  three  thousand  Pounds, 
that  several  of  the  Overseers  have  since  the  Year  1780,  Ad- 
vanced their  own  Money  to  defrey  a  part  of  the  said  Charges,  and 
ought  to  have  the  interest  of  such  Sums  as  they  have  Advanced 
paid  them  as  soon  as  possible,  and  that  the  Town  ought  to  Adopt 
some  sure  &  Special  Plan  for  defreying  the  expence  of  the  Alms 
House  in  future  —  And  the  Committee  thereupon  Submit  the  fol- 
lowing form  of  a  Vote  to  the  Consideration  of  the  Town  —  Voted, 
that  the  Sum  of  three  thousand  pounds  be  raised  to  defrey  the 
expence  of  the  Alms  House  for  the  present  Year :  And  that 
Eighteen  hundred  pounds  thereof  be  Assessed  in  the  Manner  fol- 
lowing Viz*.  —  the  Assessors  when  they  Assess  the  Town  Tax 
shall  make  a  Special  &  Seperate  Colum,  in  the  rate  list,  and 
therein  set  down  as  much  per  Centum  proportionally  on  Each 
Persons  Tax  as  shall  in  the  whole  Amount  to  the  said  Sum  of 
eighteen  hundred  pounds,  and  that  the  Collectors  shall  receive 
the  Sums  contained  in  said  Colum  in  Specie  only,  and  the  same 
shall  be  paid  into  the  Town  Treasurey  &  sacredly  Appropriated 
to  the  support  of  the  Towns  Poor  &  the  payment  of  Interest  due 
to  the  Overseers,  for  Moneys  Advanced  by  them  for  the  use  of 
the  Poor. 

James  Sullivan  ^  Order 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  Considered,  the  Question 
being  put  Viz*.  Whether  said  Report  shall  be  Accepted  &  passed 
in  the  Aff ermative  — 

[23.]  The  Vote  relative  to  the  Committee  to  prepare  an 
Estimate  and  to  Report  at  May  Meeting  reconsidered,  and  said 
Committee  are  desired  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment  the  Is*  Mon- 
day of  April  next  3  O  Clock 


142  City  Document. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned  it 
3hall  be  to  the  l8t  Monday  of  April  next  3  O  Clock  M.  P. 

Messrs.  Edward  Burt 
Cap*.  Joseph  Loring 
Mr.  John  Bray 
Mr.  Lemuel  Gardner 
Mr.  Henry  Purket 
were  chose  Cullers  of  Staves  &  Hoops  for  the  Year  ensuing 
see  page  20 

The  Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  having  declined  serving  as  a 
Fire  Ward 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given  to 
the  Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  for  his  faithful  Services  as  a  Fire 
Ward  for  a  Number  of  Years  past  — 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  (declined) 
Henry  Hill  Esqr. 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Selectmen 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  High  Ways  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Hancock 
was  chose  a  Fire  Ward  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Adjourned  to  3  O  Clock  P  M 
3  0  Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  According  to  Adjournment 

Adjourned  to  4  O  Clock 

[24.]     Met  According  to  Adjournment  4  O'Clock  P.  M. 

The  Committee  relative  to  Olivers  Dock  Reported  as  follows  — 
Viz*.  — 

The  Selectmen  together  with  Judge  Sullivan  being  Appointed : 
a  Committee  to  examine  into  the  encroachments  Apprehended  to 
be  made  upon  the  Towns  Land  on  &  near  Olivers  Dock,  have  ex- 
amined the  circumstances  respecting  the  same  &  find  that  Mr. 
Woodwards  claim  to  a  right  in  Olivers  Dock,  is  in  their  Opinion 
without  foundation  —  the  Property  of  the  same  being  vested  in 
the  Town,  and  never  by  them  convey'cl  to  any  Other  Person  -  -  - 
And  that  Mr.  Fowle  by  permision  from  the  Selectmen  now  im- 
proves a  Part  of  the  Drain  belonging  to  the  Town,  by  running  a 
floor  over  the  same  till  such  time  as  the  Town  may  order  Other 
ways  or  receive  an  Adequate  rent  for  the  same  — 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1787.  143 

The  Report  aforesaid  having  been  read.  Moved  &  Voted,  that 
the  1st  part  of  the  Report  be  taken  up*&  the  same  having  been 
considered  —  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  directed 
&  impowered  to  Maintain  &  defend  the  Rights  of  the  Town  to 
Olivers  Dock  so  called  Against  the  Claims  of  Any  Person  or 
Persons  whatsoever  —  then  the  2d  part  of  the  Report  was  taken 
up  &  considered  whereupon  Voted,  that  the  same  be  Accepted  by 
the  Town. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town  Approve 
of  a  proposed  new  Boundary  Line  to  be  run  between  Boston  and 
Roxbury,  Agreeable  to  a  plan  which  will  be  laid  before  the 
Town"  was  read  [25.]  Whereupon  Voted,  that  the  Town 
Approve  of  the  Boundary  Line  as  Agreed  upon  by  the  Selectmen 
of  the  Town  of  Roxbury  &  Boston  provided  that  by  their  joint 
Application  to  the  General  Court  they  can  Obtain  a  Confirmation 
of  the  same 

The  Committee  relative  to  Mr.  Thompson's  Land  near  Beacon 
Hill  Report  verbally  that  Mr.  Thompson  is  willing  to  sell  the 
Town  the  Land  he  owns  contiguous  to  the  North  west  side  of 
Beacon  Hill  at  such  a  price  as  any  two  Persons  Appointed  by  the 

Selectmen  &  himself  say  it  is  reasonably  worth 

whereupon  Voted,  that  the  Consideration  of  this  Report  be  sus- 
pended — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Committee  Appointed  to  confer  with 
Mr.  Hancock  on  his  Claim  to  Part  of  Beacon  Hill  be  further 
instructed  to  examine  into  &  ascertain  the  Estate  which  the  Town 
hath  in  that  Hill  from  its  Base  to  the  Summit  &  Also  to  State 
the  different  Claims  of  all  Persons  to  Any  Part  of  the  same  &  to 
Report  a  Plan  of  the  Town's  Right  &  Any  Other  Person  to  the 

said  Hill and   that  William  Tudor  Esqr.  be 

Added  to  said  Committee 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  impowered  & 
directed  to  set  for  such  Abatements  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable  two  Days  in  each  Week  After  the  Delivery  of  the 
Tax  Bills  to  the  Collectors  for  the  space  of  Six  Weeks,  and  no 
longer,  saving  that  they  be  Allowed  to  set  the  last  Week  in 
February  Lords  Days  excepted  for  the  Abatement  of  the  Taxes 
of  such  Persons  as  had  not  an  Opportunity  of  Applying  in  the 
Above  limitted  time  by  reason  of  [26.]  Their  being  out  of  the 
Commonwealth,  or  any  Other  unavoidable  hindrance.  And  that 
the  Assessors  determine  upon  the  said  two  Days,  which  is  to  be 
noted  on  the  Tax  Bills  to  be  delivered  the  Inhabitants 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  Impowered  &  directed  to  continue 
the  Suit  commenced  Against  the  late  Collector  Grays  Bondsmen 
to  July  term  — 


144  City  Document. 

The  Article  in  the  "Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town  will  take 
further  Measures  for  thf  Sale  of  the  Land  and  Wharff  at  the 
North  Battery  "  -  -  -  -  was  read  and  considered  whereupon 
Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  he  impowered  to  make  Sale  of  said 
Battery  by  Auction  unless  it  can  be  disposed  of  by  private  Sale 
&  that  they  be  Authorized  and  impowered  to  Give  &  execute 
good  &  Sufficient  Deeds,  for  the  same  conditioned  that  none  of 
the  Stones  be  removed  &  that  the  Pier  be  kept  in  good  Repaire  & 
that  the  Selectmen  be  also  impowered  to  Agree  that  any  Publick 
Securities  of  this  Commonwealth  be  received  in  payment 

Adjourned  to  Monday  April  2d. 
3.  O'Clock  — P.  M.— 

At  a  legal  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  in  Fanuiel  Hall  Assembled  March  20th  A.  D. 
1787  —  3  O'Clock  P.  M. — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*, 
to  consider  the  request  of  Joseph  Palmer  Esq1',  that  the  Town 
would  sell  the  Fee  of  the  Land  lying  on  the  Easterly  side  of  Bos- 
ton Neck  for  the  purpose  of  setting  up  several  sets  of  Large 
Works  for  making  Bay  &  White  Salt  —  was  read  whereupon 

[27.]     Voted,  that  Messrs :  Nathaniel  Appleton  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esqr. 

Nath1.  Barber  Esqr. 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
be  a  Committee  to  take  this  Article  and  the  Representation  of 
Mr.  Palmer  into  consideration  and  report  what  is  best  to  be  done 
thereon  at  the  Adjournment  of  March  Meeting  the  2d  Day  of 
April  3  O  Clock  P.  M. 

then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston 
of  twenty  One  Years  of  Age  &  Upwards  qualified  as  the  Con- 
stitution prescribes  &  legally  warned  in  public  Town  Meeting 
Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Monday  the  2  Day  of  April  Anno 
Domini  1787     9  0  Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Eliot 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  115 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment,  relative 
to  choise  of  Governors  and  Senators,  also  read 

It  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  no  Vote  would  be  received 
but  such  as  are  unfolded,  &  that  they  propose  the  Poll  shall  be 
closed  at  12  O'Clock 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Bells  in  the  Town  be  set  a  tolling 
£  an  Hour  before  12  O'Clock 

[28.]  Persons  Voted,  for  as  Governor  with  the  Number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person  — Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Excellency  James  Bowdoin  Esq1-. 721 

Honble :  John  Hancock  Esqr. 775 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieu*.  Governor  with  the  Number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esqr. 880 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esq1. 179 

Honble :  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 421 

Honble  :  Tristam  Dalton  Esqr.  ----------  l 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  with 
the  number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Thomas  Cushing  Esq1. 460 

Honble.  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 1373 

Honble.  William  Phillips  Esqr. 1101 

Honble.  Cotton  Tufts  Esqr.       ----- 1463 

Honble.  Stephen  Metcalf  Esqr. 1395 

Honble.  John  Lowell  Esq1'.  -     - 442 

Thomas  Dawes  Esq1'. 1017 

Honble  :  Eichard  Cranch  Esqr. 47 

Honble :  Benjamin  Austin  Esq1'.     -- 407 

Honble :  Jabez  Fisher  Esqr.       -     - -     -     -     677 

Honble  :  John  Hancock  Esq1'. 3 

Honble :  William  Heath  Esq1'. 280 

Honble :  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esq1'. 8 

John  Eead  Esqr. - 15 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  -     -     - 3 

Honble :  Ebenr  :  Wales  Esq1'. 2 

Honble :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 1 

[29.]     Joshua  Henshaw  Esqr. 3 

Honble.  James  Warren  Esqr. 4 

Theophilus  Cushing  Esq1'.    - 4 

Mr.  Richard  Gridldey 1 

Dr.  John  Metcalf       ----- 2 

Christopher  Gore  Esqr.  ----- 1 


146  City  Document. 

Votes 

Honble.  Jonathan  Jackson 1 

John  C.  Jones  Esqr. X 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 1 

Joseph  Barrel  Esqr. ' 1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  Lieu*. 
Governor  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were  committed 
to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  &  the  Inclosures  sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr. 
Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 
The  Number  of  Votes  for  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Governor 
Lieu*.  Governor  &  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  Cer- 
tifyed  within  &  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[30.]  Adjournment  of  March  Meeting 

April  2d.  3  0  Clock  P :  M  :     Met  According  to  Adjournment 

On  a  Motion  Adjourned  to  Thursday  next  10  0  Clock.  A  :  M 

April  5th.  9  O  Clock  A :  M,    Met  According  to  Adjournment 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  Acquainted  the  Town  that  he  declines 
serving  as  an  Overseer 

The  Committee  to  Report  an  Estimate  &  Reported  whereupon 
Moved  &  Voted,  that  this  Report  be  recommitted 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  Appointed  to  Audit  Town  Treasurers 
Accounts  &c  -  -  -  -  be  Notified  by  the  Town  Clerk  that 
they  were  directed  to  make  Report  at  the  Adjournment 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  consider  General  Palmers  Peti- 
tion praying  that  the  Town  would  sell  him  the  fee  of  certain 
Lands  on  Boston  Neck  for  the  Salt  Manufacture,  beg  Leave  to 
Report 

That  as  the  Town  have  only  the  reversion  of  said  Lands  After 
the  expiration  of  a  long  lease,  and  as  After  that  Lease,  said 
Lands  may  probably,  be  settled  with  Inhabitants  to  the  great 
benefit  &  ornament  of  the  Town,  and  further,  as  General  Palmer, 
by  his  own  declaration  is  under  the  Necessity  of  having  upwards 
of  Twenty  Acres  if  any,  and  can  Obtain  Other  Lands,  which 
will  promote  his  Manufacture  &  Answer  his  purposes  nearly  as 
well  as  those  petitioned  for  —  The  Committee  are  of  Opinion  that 
for  the  Above  and  many  other  reasons  it  is  not  for  the  Interest  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  147 

the  Town  to  sell  their  [31.]  said  Lands  According  to  the  Prayer 
Of  said  Petition 

Nath1.  Appleton 
Boston  2d  April  1787  f  Order 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  an  Overseer  of  the  Poor  and  the  same  being  brought  in 
&  sorted  it  Appeared  that 

John  Codman  Jim1', 
was  chose  Overseer  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Adjourned  to  Friday  the  13  Ins*:  3  O  Clock.  P.  M.  -     -     -     - 

Friday  April  13th  — 3  O  Clock  P.  M  Met  According  to  Ad- 
journment — 

Mr.  John  Cade,  was  chosen  a  Constable  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

The  Question  was  put  Viz*  Whether  the  lighting  of  the  Lamps 
shall  be  discontinued  from  the  1st  of  May  next  till  further  Orders 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Constables  be  requested  to  walk  the 
Streets  of  this  Town  on  the  Lords  Day,  Agreeable  to  a  former 
practice,  taking  with  them  some  of  the  Inhabitants  on  Those 
Walks ;  as  a  means  to  prevent  disorder  on  the  Sabbath  more 
especially  in  the  time  of  Divine  servise 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Committee  Appointed  in  March 
1786  —  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  Town  Treasurer,  Selectmen  & 
Overseers  of  the  Poor,  &  on  all  other  Matters,  be  directed  to 
Eeport  the  1st  Day  of  the  May  Meeting 

[33.]  Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Town  reconsider  their 
Votes  of  March  1787  —  &  discontinue  the  Committee  Appointed 
by  said  Vote  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the  Town  Treasurer  Select- 
men &  Overseers  of  the  Poor 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  lay  their  Drafts  for 
the  present  Year  the  Town  Treasurer  his  Accounts,  and  the  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  their  Accounts  before  the  Town  at  the  next 

Meeting.  — 

Moved,  &  Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  Things  unfinished  at  this 
Meeting  be  refered  over  to  the  General  Town  Meeting  in  May 
next 

Then  the  Meeting 
was  Dissolved 


148  City  Document. 

[33.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  8th  Day 
of  May  Anno  Domini  1787 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Clark 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  G-overment  which 
relates  to  the  choise  of  Representatives  —  read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read   at  said  Meeting  were   Accordingly 
-     - read 


The  Town  having  determined  to  choose  Seven  Persons  to  Pep- 
resent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held  at 
the  State  House  at  Boston  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  May  Cur- 
rent, Agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  G-overment  for  the 
Massachusetts  -  -  -  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  with- 
draw and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  seven  Representatives  and  then 
it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Vote  should  be  received 
but  such  as  were  unfolded  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll  should 
be  closed  at  12  O  Clock  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  After 
giving  in  their  Votes  to  remain  in  the  Hall  till  the  Poll  is  closed  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  seven  Representatives,  the 
number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  Six  hundred  &  thirty. 
And  upon  sorting  them  it  [34.]  Appeared  that  the  following 
G-entlemen  were  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes   -     -     -     -     Viz*. 

HonWe :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 382 

Honble  :  Samuel  A.  Otis  Esqr. 600 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. -     614 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 595 

Samuel  Brick  Esq1'. 590 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  .      .     -     -     -     -     570 
Mr.  John  Winthrop 356 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  &  declared  by  the 
Selectmen,  it  was  moved  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  to  preside 
at  the  Meeting  for  transacting  the  other  matters  mentioned  in  the 
Warrant  — 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote 

The  Petition  of  the  Constables 
whereupon  Moved  &  Voted,  that 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Belknap 
Majr.  Ephraim  May 
Mr.  Alexander  Hill 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  149 

be  a  Committee  to  consider  the  Petition  and  Report  as  soon  .as 
may  be  — 

The  Article  relative  to  Instruction  —  read  And  the  Question 
was  put  Viz*.  ' '  Whether  the  Town  will  Instruct  their  Represen- 
tatives "     -     -     -     -     Passed  in  the  Negative 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer  &  Reported  and  the  same  having  been  read  &  Accepted 
the  Town  Clerk  was  directed  to  Record  the  Same  &  hand  [35.] 
said  Report  to  the  Committee  Appointed  to  Estimate  the  Expell- 
ees of  the  Town  the  ensuing  Year,  which  Committee  are  desired 
to  make  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Report  is  as  follows 
The  Committee  Appointed  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasurey  &  examine  the  draughts  of  the  Selectmen  and  Over- 
seers, report  that  the  Treasurer  Accounts  are  right  cast  and' the 
Charges  Well  Vouched,  the  General  State  of  the  Treasurey  is  as 
follows  Viz'. 
Dr. 
To  Ballance  of  the  Towns  Account  for  Or- 


ders on  the  Treasurer  &c /  475  •  2  •     3 

To  Notes  payable  for  the  Treasurer  Notes  ) 

to  Sundry  People j  1Z611  '  17  *     1 

due  to  Sundry  Creditors 558  .  17  — 

due  to  the  Jeffries  Estate 158.  9.     8 

due  for  Interest  part  of  which  has  been) 

due  14  years J  ^78  .  18  ,,  10 


18,049  ,,     4  ,,  10 


Cr. 

due  from  sundry  Persons  mostly  Bad 
due  from  Savage  Gray  &  Cudworth  - 
D°.  Daniel  Parker 


356   . 

14  . 

10 

632  „ 

H„ 

4 

1318   . 

13  . 

2 

2307 
Charles  Williams  for  85    -     -     103,,     2,,     6 
Ditto  -     -     -    86  %-     -     914  .   19   .   10 
Benf.  Henderson   -     -     -     -     839   .   18  ,,     8 

J.  Thompson 549   .   16   .     3 

T.  Bayley 220  ,,     8  — 

2628  ,,     5  ,, 

due  from  the  State ._.       6471  ,,  16   . 

Old  Continental  Money  on  hand 

@  75  for  one  the  rate  of  which  it  was  received        554  ,,    0  . 


£11,962  ,,    2  ,-,..— 
[36.]     By  this  Statement  it  Appears  that  the  debts  clue  from 


150  City  Document. 

the  Town  Amount  to  £18.049  ,,  4  .  10  and  that  there  is  Little  or 
no  dependance  on  receiving  Any  debts  due  to  the  Town  to  dis- 
charge them,  those  due  from  Former  Collector's  and  from  others 
for  rents  —  are  Supposed  to  be  Irrecoverable  &  those  due  from 
the  present  Collectors  the  Treasurer  informs  us  will  be  if  not 
wholly  discharged  by  Abatements  &  Premiums  to  the  Collectors 
so  that  there  remains  only  the  debt  clue  from  the  State  ;  towards 
discharging  these  debts  —  and  the  State  debt  Cannot  be  paid  but 
by  Orders  on  the  Collectors  which  are  now  Selling  at  8/  in  the 
pound. — 

The  Committee  have  received  from  the  Selectmen  the  Follow- 
ing Accounts  of  their  Expenditures  for  the  Year  past  from  March 
86  —to  March  1787  —Viz1. 
Watchmen  Wages  &c    --------    £707,,     2  ,,  10 

repairing  the  Towns  Estate 307  ,,  13   .     2 

repairing  Engines  &c 104,,  14,,     5 

Paving  &  Gravel  on  the  Neck      -     -    ~-     -     -      818  ,,  19  ,,    4 J 

Assessors  Wages      - 401  ,,  14  ,,  — 

Lamps  Lamp  lighters  &  Oil 479  ,,  10  ,,     7£ 

Sundrys  to  be  paid  by  the  State 107,,  18,,     1 

Paving  &  Oravel  within  the  Town    -     -     -     -     1079  ,,  13  ,,     9 
Premiums  for  Engine  men  being  first  at  a 

Fire 

Schoolmasters  &  Ushers -    1684  ,,    3  ,,    3 

Collectors  of  Taxes 337  ,,  19  ,,    4 

Ferry  Street  Wall 738  ,,     6  ,, — 

Premium  to  Nazro  for  Collecting  the  dues  \  .,.      1  fi         - 

of  the  Market  i j  ou  ,,  ib  ,,    o 

Printing  the  By  Laws 78,,  15  — 

Printing  &  Stationary 112,,     2,,  10 

[37.]     Town  Clark  his  Salary 130,,  

Ditto       for  Services  1783  -     -  '  -        50  ,, 

Town  Treasurer -'     -     -       130  ,, 

Nazro  for  Attending  the  Selectmen  -     - 

repairing  Burial  Place 

Visitation  of  the  Schools 

repairs  of  the  Town  Clocks      -     -     -     - 

Constables  for  Servises 

Pump  at  Dock  Square   -  -     -     -     -' 

Town  Bulls 

Ringing  the  Bells      ------- 

Fanuiel  Hall  Market 

Visitation  Deer  Island   ------ 

Preambulation  with  Roxbury  -     -     -     - 

repairs  Beacon  Hill 

Storage  of  Powder - 

Badges  for  Chimney  Sweepers  &  Porters 

Hospital  at  West  Boston  to  be  Charged  the  State  14 

Surveying  the  Town  Land  -     -     -     - 


|          18„    4- 


50  „ 

29  „ 

8 

,  6 

45  „ 

14 

5 

29  „ 

13 

,  6 

5VJ 

2 

,  2 

2„ 

8 

? 

13  „ 

10 

>) 

32,, 

13 

,i  9 

9„ 

0 

.  10 

17  „ 

18 

„  2 

5„ 

9 

>  i 

57  „ 

17 

4„ 

11 

,,  11 

5„ 

18 

14  „ 

9 

„  6 

4,, 

3 

ii 

Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  151 

Coals  for  the  Selectmens  Room 6,,     2,,  — 

Expences  at  Town  Meeting 11,,     6.     5 

Sundry  Towns  for  sending  out  their  Poor  -     _  7  , ,     9  , ,  — 

Clerks  of  the  Market  their  Expences      -     -     -         10  ,, 


£7,700  ,,     7  ,,  114 
The  Amount  of  Selectmens  draughts  for 

the  Last  year  Brought  Over 7,700   .     7  ,,  11^ 

£2657  ,,  12  ,,  4£  of  the  Above  Expences  the 
Selectmen  Suppose  will  not  be  incurred  the 
Ensuing  Year  — 

But  the  Committee  are  of  Opinion  that  Other  Expences  will 
Arise  to  the  Town  perhaps  to  as  Large  an  Amount  as  for  many 
Years  past;  there  has  been  Sundry  Expences,  which  at  the  time 
of  G-ranting  the  Money  were  not  in  the  Calculation  — 

[38.]     The  Amount  of  the  Overseers  draught 

from  March  86— to  March  1787  — was   -     -     2,972  ,,  14  ,,     4 


£10673  ,,     2  ,,     3i 


The  Town  the  Last  Year  Voted,  £7,000  a  Considerable  part  of 
that  Sum  must  be  deducted  for  Abatements  &c  —  as  the  Treas- 
urer has  paid  from  March  86 —  to  May  1787 

£1902  ,,16.3  for  Abatements  and  Premiums  to  the  Collectors 
which  Leaves  Only  About  £5,000  —  therefore  the  Town  is  near 
£6000  more  in  debt  than  they  was  in  March  1786  besides  the  In- 
terest due  in  the  £12,377  ,,  7  ,,  1  —  Only  part  of  that  having 
been  paid  the  Last  year  -  -  -  The  Town  will  also  see  by  the 
General  Statement  that  they  are  Indebted  £2478  ,,  7  ,,  10  for 
Interest  on  the  Treasurers  Notes  for  £12,377  ,,  7  ,,  1  -  -  part 
of  which  has  been  due  14  Tears  and  much  the  Greater  part  from 
5 .  to  12  Years  — 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  ^  Order 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  Appointed  to  Estimate  the  Sum 
Necessary  to  be  raised  to  defrey  the  Expences  of  the  Current 
Year,  take  into  their  consideration  what  Steps  are  necessary  to 
be  taken  to  Obtain  the  Debt  due  from  the  Commonwealth  & 
Report  the  same  to  the  Town 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  put 
the  Bonds  given  by  Mr.  Parker  a  late  Collector  for  the  Years 
1784  &  1785  in  Suit  at  a  Court  properly  Authorised  to  try  the 
same  as  soon  as  may  be 

Moved  &  Voted  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  settle 
with  Col0.  Symms  relative  to  What  he  stands  indebted  on  the 
Town  Treasurer's  Books  &  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment 


152  City  Document. 

[39.]                     Adjourned  to  Wednesday 
May  16th.  3  0' Clock  P.  M 

Wednesday  the  1 6th  of  May  3'  0  Clock  Afternoon 

Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  on  Constables  Petition  not  being  Able  to 
Report,  moved  &  Voted,  that  said  Committee  be  desired  to 
Report  at  next  Town  Meeting 

The  Committee  to  estimate  the  Sum  necessary  to  be  raised  to 
defray  the  Expenses  of  the  present  Year  &  to  consider  what  Sums 
will  be  proper  to  grant  to  the  several  Officers  in  the  pay  of  the 
Town  -  -  -  Reported,  and  the  same  being  considered  -  - 
The  Town  came  into  the  following  Resolutions     -     -     -     - 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Ninety  five  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary  the  present 
Year  the  same  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*,  and  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Ninety  five  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  MrJ  Nathan  Davis  for  his  Salary  the  present 
Year  the  same  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins* :  and  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  if  shall  become  due 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Seventy  pounds,  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Tileston  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  North  Writing  School  the  present  Year  the  same -.to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from 
the  1st.  of  March  Ins* : 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Seventy  Pounds  be 
Allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  James  [40.]  Carter,  for  his  Salary  as 
Master  of  the  Writing  School  in  Queen  Street  the  present  Year 
the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  &  to  commence  the  1st.  of 
March  Ins* : 

Voted,  that  M1'.  John  Vinal  Master  of  Writing  School  in  the 
Common  have  the  Sum  paid  in  the  like  manner  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Seventy  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  New  Writing  School  at  the  North  End,  the  present  Year, 
the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  &  to 
commence  from  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  the  North  Writing 
School,  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the  Sum  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  153 

Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become 
due,  &  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*. 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  Master  of  the  North  Grammar 
School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year,  the  Sum  of 
Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  be- 
come due  &  to  commence  from  the  1st  of  March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Vinal  Master  of  the  Writing  School  in 
the  Common  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the 
Sum  of  Forty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due  &  to  commence  from  the  1*.  of  March  Ins* : 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  Master  of  the  New  Writing 
School  at  the  North  End  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present 
Year  the  Sum  of  Forty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly 
as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  the  1*.  of  March  Ins*. 

[41.]  Voted,  that  Mr.  Amasa  Dingley  Usher  of  the  South 
G rammer  School  be  Allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of  Ninety  Seven 
pounds  ten  shillings  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly 

Voted,  that  the  Ushers  of  the  Writing  Schools  be  Allowed  for 
their  Salaries  as  Ushers  Eighty  five  pounds  *$  Annum  each,  the 
same  to  be  paid  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  clue  &  to  commence 
from  the  1*.  of  March  Ins*.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Six  Masters  of  the  public  Schools,  have  ten 
Cord  of  Wood  each  provided  for  them  by  the  Selectmen  — - 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  &  thirty  Pounds  for  his  Services  as  Town  Clerk  the 
Year  ensuing  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become 
due  &  to  Commence  the  Is*.  of  March  Ins*.     -     -     -     - 

Voted  that  Mr.  Peter  Boyer  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  and  thirty  Pounds  for  his  Services  as  Treasurer  the 
present  Year  the  same  to  be.  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  become  due 
&  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  Ins*. 

On  a  Motion  —  Voted,  that  the  Remaining  part  of  ye.  Report 
of  the  Committee  on  the  Sum  necessary  to  be  raised  for  the 
ensuing  Year  be  recommitted  in  Order  that  they  make  a  Particular 
Estimate  of  the  Sums  necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  ensuing 
Year,  &  that  the  Selectmen  &  Overseers  be  directed  to  Give  said 
Committee  all  the  Assistance  &  information  in  their  Power  rela- 
tive thereto  —  The  Committee  are  also  to  report  on  Mr.  Tilestons 
Petition  — 

[42.]     The  Town  Clerk  directed  to  Notify  the  Inhabitants  in 


154  City  Document. 

all  the  Papers  that  a  Motion  has  been  made  for  a  very  large  Sum 
to  be  raised  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  present  Year  &  that 
for  the  Consideration  of  said  Motion  the  Meeting  is  adjourned  to 
next  Monday  Seven  night,  when  it  is  expected  there  will  be  a  very 
general  Attendance  of  the  Inhabitants  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  the  28th.  Inst :  3  O  Clock  P.  M. 

Monday  the  28th  of  May  3  0  Clock  P.  M.  Met  According  to 
Adjournment     ------- 

Govr :  Hancocks  Letter  praying  that  he  may  "have  leave  to 
withdraw  his  Petition  relative  to  Beacon  Hill  was  read  &  leave 
granted  Accordingly  — 

The  Committee  to  Estimate  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for 
the  Expences  of  the  Town  Reported  again,  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  £12,000  including  the  £3000  Voted  for 
in  March  last  for  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be  raised  by  a  Tax 
to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  &  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
Town,  to  defrey  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to  give  order  for 
payment  to  Master  John  Tileston  for  the  Sum  of  £396  —  now 
due  to  him  on  Mr.  Williams  &  Mr.  Henderson  with  Orders  for 
them  to  be  as  speedy  as  possible  in  discharging  the  same  from 
the  first  Monies  that  may  come  into  their  hands  not  militating 
with  Orders  that  may  Already  be  drawn  upon  them,  or  making 
such  discounts  as  may  Necessarily  rise  in  favour  of  Persons 
Owing  Taxes  — 

[43.]  Moved,  That  the  Town  Treasurer* be  and  hereby  is 
directed  in  future  not  to  draw  any  Orders  upon  the  Collectors  to 
discharge  any  debts  due  from  the  Town  Except  to  Discount  a 
Tax  due  from  the  Person  in  whose  favor  the  order  is  drawn  -  -  - 
whereupon.  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  insert  the 
substance  of  the  Above  Motion  in  the  next  Warrant  for  a  Town 
Meeting  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  things  unfinished  at  this 
Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  next  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  4th  Day  of 
July  A.  D.  1787.  10  O  Clock  A.  M. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  155 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

John  Brown  Esqr : 
was  chosen  a  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote 

The  Committee  Appointed  the  last  Year  to  make  Choise  of  a 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  this  Anniversary  of  Inde- 
pendence s 

Reported, 

[44.]  That  they  had  made  Choise  of  Thomas  Dawes 

Junr.  Esqr.  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  who  had  Accepted  of  that 
Service  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Chapel 
Church  10  0  Clock  leave  having  been  given  for  the  same  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr :  Dawes  with  the  afore- 
going Vote 

The  Meeting  was  Adjourned  to  Chapel  Church 

10.  O  Clock,  Met,  at  the  Chapel  Church  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment— 

AN  ORATION 

to  commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States,  was  de- 
livered by  Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esq1",  at  the  Chapel  Church  to  a 
large  and  crouded  Assembly 
Voted,  that  the 

Selectmen 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  wait  on  Thomas 
Dawes  Junr.  Esqr.  and  in  the  name  of  the  Town  to  Thank  him  for 
the  Spirited  and  pertinent  Oration  this  Day  delivered  by  him  at 
the  request  of  the  Town  upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independ- 
ence of  the  United  States  of  America  in  which  According  to  the 
institution  of  the  Town,  he  considered  the  feeling  Manners  & 
Principles  which  led  to  that  great  National  Event  —  And  to 
request  of  him  a  Copy  for  the  Press 

On  Motion  Voted,  that 
The  G-entlernen  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a 
Committee  to  Apply  to  some  learned  an  Able  Gentleman  to  de- 
liver an  Oration  on  the  4th  of  July  A.  D.  1788.  that  Day  being 
the  Anniversary  of  [45.]  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America  wherein  the  Orator,  is  to  consider  the  feelings  manner 
&  principles  which  led  to  this  great  National  Event,  as  well  as 
the  important  and  happy  Effects,  whether  General  or  Domestic 


156  City  Document. 

which  have  Already  and  will  forever  continue  to  flow  from  that 
Auspicious  Epoch 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legaUy  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Monday  the  9th  Day 
of  July  A.  D.  1787 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

The  Town  having  determined  to  come  to  the  choise  of  a  Repre- 
sentative Agreeably  to  a  Precept  received  for  that  purpose  the 
Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes,  when  it  Appeared  that 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esqr. 
was  chosen  a  Representative  for  the  remainder  of  the  Year,  by  a 
Majority  of  Votes 

The  choise  of  Representative  being  over 

The  Hon  Je :  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.  was  chosen  Moder- 
ator to  transact  other  Matters  Mentioned  in  the  Warrant 

The  Article  relative  to  Treasurers  Draughts  read 
Whereupon 

[46.]  Voted,  That  Whereas  the  Negotiating  Draughts  or 
Orders  drawn  by  the  Town  Treasurer  is  found  to  be  greatly 
detrimental  to  all  the  Officers  &  Servants  of  the  Town,  as  well 
as  to  all  who  are  employed  by  the  Selectmen  to  do  any  business, 
or  furnish  any  Materials,  and  consequently  is  ruinous  to  the 
Credit  of  the  Town  at  Large  — 

It  is  therefore 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be  and  hereby  is  di- 
rected not  to  issue  any  Orders  on  any  of  the  Collectors  of  Taxes 
in  future  unless  in  favor  of  such  Person  as  are  or  may  be  Credit- 
ors to  the  Town  &  in  that  case  to  the  Amount  only  of  their 
Taxes  &  the  Treasurer  is  further  directed  not  to  Accept  of  any 
Order  that  may  hereafter  be  drawn  upon  him  by  any  Creditor, 
whatsoever 

The  Article  relative  to  Negroes  —  read 
whereupon  it  was  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  further  consideration 
of  this  Article  subside  — 

All  Matters,  unfinished  referred  over  to  Next  General  Town 
Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  157 

[47.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  The  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday 
Sept1'.  19th.  10  OClock  Forenoon  — 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  read      -__--__- 


Mr.  Nath1:  Appleton,  chosen  Moderator  &  excused  from  serv- 
ing    -     -     -     - 

Honble :  Samuel  Adams  chosen  Moderator  excused  being  con- 
fined by  a  Cold  — 

Honble  :  Sam1 :  A.  Otis  Esqr : 
chosen  Moderator 

"  The  Article  in  the  Wan-ant  —  Viz'. 
To  consider  whether  a  more  convenient  place  for  the  holding 
of  the  General  Court  than  the  present  can  be  procured,  in  the 
Town,  was  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Honble:   Sam1.  A.. Otis  Esq1. 
Honble :   William  Phillips  Esqr. 
Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Nath1.  Appleton 
Perez  Morton  Esqr. 
Sam1.  Breck  Esq1'. 
Thomas  W alley  Esqr. 
Joseph  Russell  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Article  at  large  &  Report  at  the 
Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  what  [48.]  They  may  Judge  will 
be  for  the  Interest  of  the  Town  to  be  done  thereon 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  Wednes- 
day the  3d.  Day  of  October  next  this  Day  fortnight  10  O  Clock 
Forenoon  — 

Wednesday  10  0  Clock  Forenoon  — 

Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Article  in  the  Warrant  read  — 
&  then  Adjourned  to  3  O  Clock  P :  M  : 

3  O  Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  According  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  Appointed  by  this  Town  on  the  19tb  of  Sep- 
tember to  Consider  at  Large  whether  a  more  convenient  Place  for 
holding  the  General  Court,  than  the  present  can  be  procured  in 
this  Town  —  Reported,  which  Report  as  amended  and  Accepted 
by  the  Town  is  as  follows  Viz. : 


158  City  Document. 

That  they  have  Attended  the  Business  and  examined  the 
several  Squares  &  Platts  of  Ground  belonging  to  the  Town, 
which  Appeared  Suitable  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  Building 
to  Accommodate  the  respective  Branches  of  the  Goverment,  and 
are  of  Opinion  that  there  are  many  such  which  are  more  con- 
venient than,  the  Place  on  which  the  Town  House  now  stands; 
and  they  submit  to  the  Town  whether  it  will  not  be  for  the  Inter- 
est &  Honor  of  the  Inhabitants  to  make  an  offer  to  the  Gover- 
ment of  either  of  these,  which  the  Honourable  Court  may  select 
for  this  end  Except  the  Common  which  is  already  Appropriated 
to  Other  [49.]  Public  purposes,  Together  with  a  Sum  not  ex- 
ceeding Three  Thousand  Pounds  to  be  Credited  upon  the  War- 
rants the  Town  has  now  on  the  Treasury  of  the  Commonwealth 
and  to  be  Appropriated  as  Above  described 

And  your  Committee  Further  report  that  the  Pasture  now  in 
Possession  of  Mr.  Wm :  Foster  Appears  An  eligble  Situation  for 
such  Building  and  recomend  to  the  Town,  to  Appoint  a  Com- 
mittee to  make  a  Purchase  of  the  same  by  Exchanging  any  other 
of  the  Towns  Property  or  in  any  way  which  shall  Appear  to  said 
Committee  most  conducive  to  the  Towns  Interest — 

Sam1.  A  :  Otis  f  Order 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :  William  Phillips  Esqr.  be  and  hereby 
is  Appointed  and  Authorized  to  purchase  a  Pasture  now  in  pos- 
session of  Mr.  Wm.  Foster  by  exchanging  any  other  of  the  Towns 
property  or  in  any  Way  which  shall  Appear  to  him  most  condu- 
cive to  the  Towns  Interest  — 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  who  have  Reported  to  the  Town  be 
a  Committee  to  confer  with  a  Committee  of  the  General  Court 
relative  to  the  Subject  Matter  of  said  Report 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  and  Things  that  remai  unfinished  be 
ref ered  over  to  the  next  General  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

[50.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuel  Hall  on  Friday  the  7th  Day 
of  December  A.  D.  1787  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Clark 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read. 

The  Resolves  of  Congress  &  the  General  Court  of  this  Com- 
monwealth      read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1787.  159 

The  Town  having  determined  to  Choose  twelve  Persons  as 
Asserting  to  &  ratifying  the  Constitution  the  Inhabitants  were 
directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their  Votes,  for  Twelve  Persons, 
for  the  purpose  Aforesaid  &  that  it  was  Declared  by  the  Select- 
men, that  the  Poll  would  be  Closed  at  half  past  twelve  O  Clock 

The  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  Twelve  Persons  the  Number 
of  the  same  were  found  to  be  763  &  upon  sorting  them  it  Ap- 
peared that  the  following  Persons  where  Chosen  by  a  Majority  of 
Votes  —  Viz'.  — 

Votes 

His  Excell*  :  Honble :  John  Hancock  Esqr. 751 

Honble:  James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 760 

Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. -  628 

Honble :   William  Phillips  Esqr. 740 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 603 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'.       - 714 

John  C.  Jones  Esq1'. 635 

John  Winthrop  Esqr. 661 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esq1". 749 

Revd.  Samuel  Stillman 739 

Thomas  Russell  Esq1'. 610 

Christopher  Gore  Esqr. 517 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next  10  OClock  Forenoon 

[51.]  Monday,  the  10th  Day  of  Decemr.  1787  —  10.  O  Clock 
Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  consideration  of  the  Choice  of  a  Representative  referred  to 
12.  OClock  — 

Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
Chosen  Moderator  in  Order  to  preseed  to  the  Other  Bussiness 
Mentioned  in  the  Warrant  — 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Constables  for  Allowance  for  their  Ser- 
vices, Voted,  that  it  be  referred  to  the  Selectmen  as  a  Committee 
to  consider  &  Allow  from  time  to  time  such  reasonable  Sums  as 
they  may  think  Adequate  for  services  performed  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  William  Phillips  Esqr. 
read,  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  hereby  ratify  &  confirm  the  Agreement 
he  made  with  Mr.  William  Foster  in  the  exchange  of  two  Stores 
belonging  to  the  Town  for  a  Pasture  at  the  Bottom  of  the  Com- 
mon &  confirm  the  Deed  given  for  the  same  in  consequence  of 
said  Agreement  for  two  Warehouses,  mentioned  as  Above  bear- 
ing date  the  6th  Day  of  October  last  — 

The  Inhabitants,  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 


160  City  Document. 

Votes  for  an  Overseer  of  the  Poor  &  on  sorting  them  it  Appeared 
that  Mr.  William  Smith,  was  Chosen  — ■ 

Voted,  that  all  matters  not  acted  upon  be  referred  over  to  the 
next  Town  Meeting  — 

Selectmen  Preside 

Precept  for  the  choice  of  a  Representative,  read,  whereupon  — 

The  Town  having  determined  to  come  to  the  Choice  of  a 
Representative  Agreeably  to  a  Precept  for  that  purpose  the 
Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes,  when  it  Appeared  that  the 
whole  number  were  165  — 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 
was  chose  a  Representative  for  the  remainder  of  the  Year  by  a 
Majority  of  the  Votes  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  Dissolved 

[52.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  10th 
Day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1788  —  10.  O  Clock  Forenoon  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Belknap 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  accordingly 
- ___     read  — 


The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  &  the  same  being  brought  in  &  sorted,  it 
Appeared,  that 

*  The  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr : 
was  chosen  — 

William  Cooper  — 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 
of  Office  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  Duty,  which  Oath  was 
Administred  to  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Crafts  —  Also  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  which  was  given  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Barret ;  and  signed 
as  the  Law  directs  — 

The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  Choose  Nine  Select- 
men—  the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  that  Number ;  and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
sorted ;  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Gentelmen.  Viz*. 

[53.]  John  Scollay  Esqr. 

Harbotle  Dorr  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  161 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

John  Brown  Esqr. 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 

John  Andrews  Esq1'. 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Deacon  William  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever  — 
were  Chosen  Selectmen  for  the  year  ensuing  and  had  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  Administred  to  them  by  the  Town  Clerk  —  the  same 
was  also  sign'd  by  them  as  the  Law  directs  — 

Votes  for  a  County  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  brought 
in  and  counted  by  the  Moderator  and  Town  Clerk,  when  it  Ap- 
peared that  the  whole  number  was  two  hundred  eighty  one,  and 
that  they  were  all  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr :  a  cliscret  Suitable 
Person,  being  a  Freeholder  &  Resident  in  the  same  County  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  having 
been  brought  in  &  Sorted  it  Appeared,  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

John  White  Esqr. 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Jona :  L.  Austin  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 
[54.]  Henry  Hill  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  Codman  Jun1'. 

Mr.  William  Smith 

Mr.  William  Phillips  Junr. 
were  Chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  sixteen  Fire  Wards,  and  the  same  having  been  brought 
in  and  sorted,     it  Appeared  that  — 

William  Cooper 

Edward  Proctor  Esq1. 

Mr.  John  Lovell 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 

Thomas  Melville  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  Winthrop 

Jabez  Hatch  Esq1'. 

Cap*.  John  Ballard 

Andrew  Symms  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark 

Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 

Mr.  Henry  Bass 


162  City  Document. 

Col0.  John  May 
Paul  D.  Sergeant  Esqr- 
Ebenezer  Hancock  Esqr. 
were  Choose  Fire- Wards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Inhabitants  withdrew  &  brought  in  their  Votes  for  a  Town 
Treasurer,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

Peter  Boyer  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing,  who  took  the 
Oath  of  Office,  also  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  &  subscribed  to  the 
same  which  Oaths  were  Administred  to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk 

[55.~\     The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  a  Clerk  of  Faneuil 
Hall  Market  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared,  that 

Mr.  Matthew  Nazro 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  said  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  for  12  Constables,  and 
upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that 

Messrs :  Subael  Hews Sworn 

Samuel  Whitney d°. 

John  Butterfield d°. 

Benjamin  Homans d°. 

John  Cades d°. 

James  Perkins     --_---      d°. 

John  Bosson d°. 

James  Williams d°. 

Samuel  Smith d°. 

Francis  Booth d°. 

William  Cooper  the  2d.       -     -     -      d°. 
were  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing  &  were  all  qualified 
as  the  Law  directs  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O  :  Clock  P  :  M  : 

3.  0  Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  According  to  Adjournment 

Messrs :  Joseph  Ballard Sworn 

Henry  Blaisdel d°. 

Benjamin  Page d°. 

James  Rogers d°. 

Samuel  Dyer d°. 

John  Champney d°. 

Joseph  Ay  res d°. 

Benjamin  White d°. 

Abraham  Howard d°. 

[56.]  Joshua  Bentley Sworn 

Edmund  Ranger  ------      d°. 

Clement  Collins  -     -----     -      d°. 

were  chose  Surveyers  of  Boards  &  Shingles  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  163 

Messrs :  Samuel  Harris Sworn 

Job  Wheelwright cl°. 

Joseph  Basset d°. 

Henry  Pur'ket d°. 

Joseph  Whittemore cl°. 

William  Parkman d°. 

Lemuel  Gardner d°. 

Joseph  Loring d°. 

Thomas  Fooler d°. 

Caleb  Hayden d°. 

Joshua  Pico d°. 

John  Bray d°. 

were  chose  Cullers  of  Staves  &  Hoops  for  the  Year  ensuing 

The  Selectmen 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  High  Ways  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Benjamin  White Sworn 

James  Ridgway  - d°. 

Edmund  Ranger d°. 

Andrew  Townsend d°. 

William  Crafts d°. 

were  chose  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Adam  Colsen 

Abraham  Adams 
were  chose  Informers  of  Deer  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[5*7.]  Messrs :  George  Hamlen  -     -     -  -     -  Sworn 

John  Skinner-     _---.-      d°. 
William  Sharp     ------      d°. 

were  chose  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  William  Billings Sworn 

Samuel  Bangs d°. 

Nathan  Green d°. 

Thomas  Bradlee d°. 

James  Bruce d°. 

were  chose  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  George  Hamlin Sworn 

Samuel  Curtis d°. 

John  Skinner -  d°. 

were  chose  Haywards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chose  Assay  Masters  for  the  ensuing  Year 

John  White  Esqr. 
John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Wheat  for  the  Year  ensuing 


164  City  Document. 

Messrs :  William  Mc.Neil 
John  Gray 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Hemp  for  the  ensuing  Year 

Messrs :  William  Lowder  ------     Sworn 

Gyles  Harris  Esqr. d°. 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr.  -     -     -     -      d°. 

John  R.  Sigorney d°. 

Mr.  Edward  Davis d°. 

[58.]  were  chose  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing,  who  all  took 
the  Oath  of  Office  &  Allegiance  &  signed  the  latter  as  by  Law 
directed,  which  Oaths  were  Administred  by  the  Town  Clerk  — 

The  Selectmen,  chosen 
a  Committee  to  Visit  Schools  — 

Voted,  that  Joseph  Barrel  Esqr. 
Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 
Mr.  Joseph  May 
Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
Mr.  Bossinger  Foster 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accounts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  also  the  Accounts  of  the  Selectmen 
and  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  —  and  Report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

(Memorandum — the  aforegoing  Vote  respecting  the  Auditors 
of  Town  Treasurers  Accounts,  is  not  altogether  similar,  to  the 
one  Appointing  Auditors  the  last  Year  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  "  Whether  the  Selectmen 
shall  be  empowered  to  give  Names  to  such  Streets  as  have  gone 
by  different  Names  since  the  Revolution  and  to  Record  the  same 
in  the  Town  Books,  as  also  the  Names  of  such  Streets  as  have 
not  yet  been  Recorded  ' '  —  was  read  and  considered  —  where- 
upon — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  give  Names  to 
the  Streets.  &  to  Record  the  same  Agreeably  to  said  Articles  in 
the  Warrant  — ■ 

[59.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Sign  Boards, 
read,  when  it  was  moved  &  Voted  that  the  consideration  thereof 
be  referred  until  After  the  Town  have  Acted  upon  the  Article 
relative  to  a  Revision  of  the  By  Laws  — 

The  Petition  of  Joseph  Cunningham  &  Mary  his  Wife,  read, — 
whereupon 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  consider  said  Petition, 
hear  the  Abuttors  and  Report  thereon  at  the  Adjournment  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  165 

Voted,  that  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  R  Sigorney 
Deacon  Sharp 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  Appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  what  Steps  may  be  best  taken  for  the  choice  of 

Clerks  of  the  Market 

Voted,  that  Col0.  Dawes 

Col0.  Proctor 

Mr.  Moses  Grant 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  &  to  Report  at  the  Ad- 
journment — 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  impowered  & 
directed  to  set  for  such  Abatement  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable  two  Days  in  each  Week  After  the  delivery  of  the  Tax 
Bills  to  the  [60.]  Collectors  for  the  Space  of  six  Weeks  and  no 
longer;  saving  that  they  be  allowed  to  set  the  Last  Week  in 
February,  Lords'  Days  excepted,  for  the  Abatement  of  the  Taxes 
of  such  Persons  as  had  not  an  Opportunity  of  Applying  in  the 
Above  limited  time  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Com- 
monwealth or  any  other  unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the 
Assessors  Determine  upon  the  said  two  Days,  which  is  to  be  de- 
livered the  Inhabitants  — 

Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be  six  shillings  ^ 
Day  for  the  time  they  may  Set  in  doing  the  Business  of  their  Office 

Voted,  that  four  Per  Cent  be  Allowed  and  hereby  is  Allowed 
to  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  for  all  such  Sums 
of  Money  and  public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  &  pay  into 
the  several  Treasuries  of  the  Sums  committed  to  them  to  Collect 
within  ten  Months  from  the  receipt  of  the  Tax  Books,  and  Three 
^  Cent  on  all  such  other  Sums  as  shall  afterwards  be  Collected, 
also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  Sufficient  Sureties 
to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  duty  in  said  Office  &  complying  with  this  Vote  —  and  that 
they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gratuity  for  discounting 
any  Order  Note  or  Receipt  from  the  Treasurer  of  the  State,  or 
the  Treasurer  of  the  Town  — 

Messrs :  James  Thompson  Sworn 

Thomas  Bayley  —  Sworn 

Benjamin  Henderson  sworn 

Charles  Williams  sworn 

Were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing 


166  City  Document. 

[61.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  "Wardens  be 
referred  to  the  Meeting  of  this  Town  that  may  be  called  next 
after  the  setting  of  the  General  Court,  in  May  next  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Col0.  Crafts 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr 

Col°.  Sergeant 

Cap*.  Nathaniel  Somes 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  what  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  have  to 
offer  relative  to  some  embarassments  which  they  are  under  with 
respect  to  paying  in  the  State  Taxes,  and  Report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  relative  to  a  New 
School,  was  read  &  considered  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  be  so  far  granted  as  that 
the  Selectmen  be  Authorised  and  empowered  to  hire  the  School  of 
the  present  Proprietors,  and  that  they  be  requested  to  Appoint 
Mr.  Ticknor  the  Master  of  said  School  at  the  expence  of  the 
Town  — ■  Also 

Voted,  that  Christ1 :  Gore  Esqr. 
.  Col0.  Sergeant 

Col0.  Crafts 

Col0.  Waters 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr  (excused) 

Deacon  Bates 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire  of  the  Circumstances  of  the  [62.] 
South  Quarter  of  the  Town,  and  Determine  what  is  also  Necessary 
to  be  done  to  Accommodate  that  part  of  the  Town  with  a  Public 
School — 

Adjourned  To  Wednesday  the  19th  of  March  Current  10. 
O  Clock  A  :  M. 

Wednesday  the  19th  of  March.  10.  O'Clock  Fore-Noon  —  Met 
According  to  Adjournment  — 

Messrs :  Manassah  Marston  sworn 

Edward  Burt sworn 

John  Owen Sworn 

William  Foot Sworn 

were  chose  Surveyers  of  Hoops  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Joshua  Davis sworn 

John  Cogswell d°. 

Moses  May d°. 

were  chose  Surveyors  of  Boards  for  the  Year  ensuing 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  167 

On  a  Motion  —  Voted,  that  the  Choice  of  such  Officers  as  are 
wanting  &  have  not  qualified  themselves  as  the  Law  directs,  be 
referred  untill  May  Meeting 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Application  of  the 
Collectors  for  relief  on  the  Abatements  in  the  late  State  Tax  — 
Reported 

That  After  conferring  with  the  Collectors  and  debating  the 
Several  proposals  are  of  Opinion  — 

That  by  empowering  the  Town  Treasurer,  with  such  other  Per- 
sons as  the  Town  may  think  best  to  Add,  to  be  a  Committee  to 
procure  on  the  best  Terms  such  kind  of  Paper  as  will  discharge 
said  Tax  &  empower  the  Treasurer  to  give  his  Notes  to  the 
Lenders  payable  out  of  the  next  Tax  with  Interest,  And  that  a 
Tax  of  four  hundred  pounds  be  Added  to  discharge  said  Notes  — 

[63.]     The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  — 

Voted,  that  the  same  be  accepted,  and  that  Jonathan  Mason 
Esqr :  Thomas  W  alley  Esqr.  &  Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr :  be  a 
Committee  to  Assist  the  Treasurer  in  this  Business  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that 

Mr.  John  Fenno 

Deacon  Sharp 

Mr.  Moses  Grant 
be  a  Committee  to  prepare  an  Estimate  of  the  Sum  necessary  to 
be  raised  for  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year,  and  that  they 
confer  with  the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Town  Treasurers  Account 
&  Report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  of  Joseph 
Cunningham  &  Mary  his  Wife  have  attended  the  service  Assigned 
them  —  And  conferred  with  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen,  heard  the 
Abutters,  viewed  the  Premises ;  and  take  leave  to  Report  as 
their  Opinion  :  That  if  the  Land  whereon  the  Building  mentioned 
in  the  said  Petition  was  now  Vacant ;  the  Town  have  a  right  to 
Erect  Buildings,  so  as  to  cover  the  same  —  That  the  Abutters  are 
injured  by  the  present  Buildings  only  under  the  Idea,  that  if  the 
Land  was  now  Vacant,  the  Town  would  not  Build  thereon  — 
Therefore  that  the  whole  Business  be  left  with  the  Gentlemen  the 
Selectmen,  either  to  order  the  Buildings  down  so  far  as  the  In- 
croachment  is  made  ;  or  dispose  of  the  Land,  as  they  shall  Judge 
most  for  the  benefit  &  Advantage  of  the  Town  —  And  further 
that  the  remaining  Part  of  the  Land  belonging  to  the  Town, 
lying  South  West  of  and  butting  on  the  said  [Cunningham  House 
be  given  into  the  Streets  and  Alleys  for  the  better  Accomodating 
the  Inhabitants  in  that  Neighbourhood 

Thomas  Davis  "39  Order 


168  City  Document. 

[64. J  The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  &  considered, 
Voted,  that  the  same  be  Accepted,  also 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  &  hereby  are  Authorised  &  em- 
powered in  Case  they  should  Judge  it  best  to  dispose  of  said 
Lands  &  to  give  and  execute  good  and  sufficient  Deeds  —  there- 
fore — 

The  Petition  of  a  Number  of  Blackmen  was  read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Petitioners  have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Peti- 
tion— 

William  Scollay  Esqr.     -     -     -     -        sworn 

Mr.  Samuel  Cabot excused 

Mr.  Elisha  Sigorney  -----       sworn 
Mr.  Joseph  Laughton      -     -     -     -         d°. 
Mr.  Lemuel  Cravath  -----         d°. 

Mr.  John  Winslow d°. 

Mr.  Joseph  May d°. 

Mr.  Henry  Prentiss    -     -       Absent  excused 

Mr.  John  Parker d°. 

Mr.  Joseph  Howard" d°. 

Mr.  Benjamin  Hammet  Junr.     -     -         d°. 

Mr.  Samuel  Core d°. 

were  chose  Clarks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing,  by  a  writ- 
ten Vote  —  The  Committee  relative  to  Clerks  of  Market  Report- 
ing as  by  their  Report  on  file,  that  it  was  best  for  the  present 
Year  or  at  least,  that  they  should  be  chose  by  a  written  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz1.  —  "  That  a  Revision  of  the 
By  Laws  of  the  Town  may  be  had,  and  that  such  Additions  and 
Amendments  may  be  made  thereon  as  shall  be  Judged  proper 
was  read  —  Whereupon  — 

[65.]     Voted,  that  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Christopher  Gore  Esqr. 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  Fenno 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esq1. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid,  and  they  are  to  con- 
sider the  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Sign  Boards,  project- 
ing into  the  Streets  —  Also  of  any  other  Incumbrances  —  And  to 
Report  as  soon  as  may  be 

On  Motion,  Voted,  that  the  Committee  Appointed  to  prepare 
an  Estimate  of  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised,  the  present  Year, 
be  a  Committee  to  Consider  of  the  Salaries  and  Grants  necessary 
for  the  School-Masters  ;  &  that  said  Committee  Notify  the  School 
Masters,. Town  Clark,  Town  Treasurer  &  Other  Salary  Men,  who 
have  not  had  their  pay  Voted  them,  of  their  time  of  setting  that 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  169 

they  may  be  heard  by  said  Committee,  before  they  Report  thereon 
to  the  Town 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  all  Matters  and  Things  which  remain 
unfinished  at  this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General  Town 
Meeting  in  May  next  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  ye.  Moderator  for  his  good 
services  in  forwarding  the  Business  of  this  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

[66.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Boston  of  twenty  one  Years  of  Age  and  upwards  qualified  as  the 
Constitution  prescribes,  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town  Meet- 
ing Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  7th  Day  of  April 
Anno  Domini  1788  —  9  O  Clock  A  :  M  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Parker 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment,  relative 

to  choice  of  Governor  L*.  Governor  and  Senators 

also  Read  — 

It  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes,  would  be  re- 
ceived but  such  as  are  unfolded, ^and  that  they  propose  the  Poll 
shall  be  closed  at  12  O  Clock 

On  a  Motion,  Voted,  that  the  Bells  in  the  Town  be  set  a  Toll- 
ing y2  an  Hour  before  12  O' Clock 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  with  the  number  of  Votes  for 
each  Person  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esq1'.       -     -     -     1427 

Honble:  James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 5 

Hon™6 :  Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr 5 

Persons  Voted,  for  Lieu* :  Governor  with  the  Number  of  Votes, 
for  each  Person  —  Viz*. 

[67.]      Honble:  Samuel  Adams  Esq1'. 814 

Honble:  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 630 

Honble :  James  Warren  Esq1. 1 

Honble :  William  Phillips  Esqr. 1 


170  City  Document. 

Persons  Voted  for  as  /Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  with 
the  number  of  Votes,  for  each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble:  Samuel  Adams  Esq1'. 1450 

Honble :  William  Phillips  Esqr. 1360 

Honble :  Cotton  Tufts  Esqr. 1439 

Honble .  Stephen  Metcalf  Esq1. 1429 

Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1". 1428 

Honble:  Elijah  Dunbar  Esq1".  ------  1261 

Honble:  Benjamin  Austin  Jur.  Esq1'.       -     -     -  181 

Honble:  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esq1".  -----  86 

Honble:  William  Heath  Esqr.  - 11 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. -     -     -     -  4 

Honble :  Richard  Cranch  Esqr. 15 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.       ------  2 

Honble :  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  1 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 1 

Honble:  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr.     -----  1 

Honble :  John  Fisher  Esqr. 1 

Dr.  John  Metcalf 4 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  Lieu*. 
Governor  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were  committed 
to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  Inclosures  sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

[68.]  The  number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a 
Governor  Lieu*.  Governor  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk,  Certified  within  and  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  13th.  Day  of 
May.  A:  D:  1788— 10  O'Clock  A:  M 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Eevd  :  Mr.  Geyer 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment  which 
relates  to  the  choice  of  Representatives read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788..  171 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  or  parts  of  thern  were 
Accordingly read 

The  Town  having  determined  to  Choose  Seven  Persons  to 
Represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held 
at  the  State  House  at  Boston  on  the  Last  Wednesday  of  May 
Current  Agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment 
for  the  Massachusetts  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  with- 
draw and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Seven  Representatives,  and 
then  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  [69.]  that  no  Votes 
should  be  received  but  such  as  were  unfolded,  and  that  they  pro- 
posed the  Poll  should  be  Closed  at  12  O'Clock  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives,  the 
number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  eight  hundred  &  fifteen ; 
and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Gentlemen 
were  Chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz'. 

Votes 

Honble:   Caleb  Davis  Esqr.   -     -     -     -  576 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 805 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 801 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 580 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'. 810 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  812 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 565 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  and  declared  by  the 
Selectmen,  it  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen 
to  preside  at  the  Meeting  for  Transacting  the  Other  Matters 
mentioned  in  the  Warrant 

Hon  le :   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

The  Petition  for  Paving  Battery  March  Street  was  read,  and 
four  Other  Petitions  for  paving  or  Repairing  other  Streets,  were 
laid  before  the  Town  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

William  Bell  Esqr. 
[70.]  Deacon  Gibbons  Sharp  Esqr  : 

Charles  Miller  Esqr. 

Mr.  Rufus  Sturgis 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  consider  said  Peti- 
tions together  with  the  representation  of  the  Selectmen  on  the 
same  Subjeet  and  to  Report  their  Opinion  at  the  Adjournment  as 
to  the  expediency  of  paving  or  repairing  any  of  said  Streets 
Also  an  Estimate  of  the  expence  thereof  — 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  21st  Ins* :  at  10  O  Clock  A  :  M  : — 

Wednesday  the  21st  of  May  10:  O'Clock  —  Town  Met  Ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 


172  City  Document. 

Mr.  Prentice  excused  from  serving  as  a  Clerk  of  the  Market  — 

Mr.  John  Cabot  excused  from  serving  a  Clerk  of  the  Market  — 

Mr.  Jacob  Curtis 
Mr.  John  Barret 
were  chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  ensuing  Year 

Moved  &  Voted,  not  to  choose  three  Constables,  for  the  present 
number  nine  are  Judged  by  the  Town  to  be  sufficient  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  audit  the  Accompts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer,  and  examine  the  Draughts  of  the  Selectmen  &  Over- 
seers —  Report 

That  the  Town  Treasurers  Accompts  are  right  cast  &  the 
Charges  well  Vouched 

[Tl.]     The  General  State  of  the  Treasury  is  as  follows  — 
Dr.  Town  Treasurer  Accots  from  March  87  to  March  88  —  Cr.  — 

Sundry  Lands  Sold £381,,     9  ,,     9 

Two  Warrants  on  the  State  Treasurer     -     -        3788  ,,  16   .     9 J 
Recd  :  of  J  Prince  for  Potatoes  &  sold  in  80     -     -    1  ,,  11  — 

To  Tax  granted  in  1787 12.000,,— 

Received  for  Fines -     -    1  ,,  — 

The  Commonwealth  for  Supplying  Troops 
-  -  -  -  in  suppressing  the  Rebellion  -     - 
Received  of  William  Foster  in  exchange 

of  Real  Estate 

Received  for  Rents - 

Ditto  for  Fanuiel  Hall  for  the  Market     - 


By  Ballance  of  last  Years  Accounts  -     - 
Abatements      on     Benjamin     Henderson 
-  -  -  Taxes  committed  to  D.  Parker  and 

A.  Thomas  late  Collectors 

Ditto  to  D.  Parker 

Ditto  to  the  several  Collectors  for  State 

Tax     ---     for  1786 

Selectmens  Draughts       ------ 

Overseers  -  -  Ditto  ------- 

Paid  Interest    ---- 

Paid  Treasury  Jeffries  Notes  brought  in 


—        87  ,,  10  ,,  10 
100,,— 


Ballance 


374 

?i 

9  , 

2 

223 

a 

6  , 

,  4 

£16,958 

n 

3  , 

7| 

£344 

a 

14  , 

H 

396 

a 

13  , 

7f 

74 

55 

11  , 

4 

1642 

55 

6  , 

*i 

4657 

51 

2  , 

1* 

2887 

55 

14  , 

H 

910 

55 

5  , 

6* 

14 

55 

11  , 

— 

£10,927 

5  1 

19  , 

Of 

6,030 

11 

4  , 

7 

£16,958  ,,    3  ,,     7f 


[72.]     The  Above  Account  being  the  State  of  the  Treasury 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788. 


173 


Accounts  for  the  last  year,  the  Committee  have  made  an  Estimate 
of  the  General  State  of  the  Treasury  as  it  now  stands  —  Viz1 : 

To  Ballance  due  sundry  Creditors       ...  £45  n     8  ,,     6 

Ditto     -     -     -     ditto 537  ,,    4  ,,  llf 

To  D  Jeffries  Estate 110  ,,  13  ,,  10 

To  Partridge  &  Hammeatt 699  ,,     7  ,,    4 

To  Nazro 54  ,,  15  ,,     9 

To  the  several  Collectors  for  Premium  on 

Taxes  in  86 651  ,,  16  ,,    4J 

To  Ballance  due  on  the  Selectmen  &  Over-  {  9fl 

seers  Draughts }  Zb21  "  ld  "     3* 

Treasurers  Accounts  to  Several  People  on  )  .  „  ..,  _ 

Interest-     - -     -    j  12'410  "  17  »     ^ 

A  considerable  Sum  of  Interest  yet  due  for 

the  Last  Year  say  £1570  exclusive  of  the 

Interest  on  the  £12,410  ,,   17  ,,   7£  since 

March  1787  Premiums  to  the  Collectors  and 

Abatements  on  the  £12000  —  Tax  — 

for  the  Charges  Above  say 2900  — 

£20,031  ,,     7  ,,    8f 

By  Towns  Powder £312  ,,  11  ,,    8 

Abraham  Savage 412  ,,    4  ,,     4 

Sundry  Small  Debts  due  to  Town,  Bad  -     -  58  ,,  16  ,,     1 

Andrew  Tukesbury -     -  100,,  10,,  10 

Benf :  Cudworth 31  ,,  11  ,,     9£ 

Col0 :  Symms  who  has  since  Settled    -     -     -  167  ,,     1  ,,     2 

Thomas  Green  for  Rent 15,,  — 

Wm :  Foster  who  has  Since  settled      -     -     -  35  ,,  15  ,,  10 

Sundry  Notes  part  bad 42,,     9,,     2 

Sundry  Rents 9  ,,  19  ,,     2 

Daniel  Parker  for  Taxes  in  84  &  85  -     -     -  1318  ,,  10  ,,     4^- 

[73.]  Samuel  Jepson 20,,     5  — 

Due  from  Thomas  Bayley  for  87  Tax      -     -  2082  ,,  11  ,,     Of 

Ditto  James  Thompson 2333  ,,    4  ,,     9|- 

Ditto  Charles  Williams 2800  ,,  11  ,,     l| 

Ditto  Benjamin  Henderson 2390,,  14,,     6f 

Cash  on  Hand 29  ,,     6  ,,    5£ 

Due  from  the  Commonwealth 10346  ,,  14  ,,    l|- 

£22,608  ,,     1  ,,     8 

Old  Paper  Money  at  75  for  one  which 

it  was  received £554  ,,    0  ,,    9 

The  Committee  having  stated  the  Account  &  Given  a  General 
State  of  the  Towns  Accounts  as  above  They  will  only  Add  that 

the  Selectmens  Draughts  the  Last  Year  was  £4,657  ,,    2  ,,     1£ 

And  the  Overseers  Draughts 2,887  ,,  15  ,,     1£ 

£7544  ,,  16  ,,    2| 


174  City  Document. 

"Which  was  the  expence  of  the  Town 

the  Last  Year 
Joseph  Barrell 

^  Order  of  the  Committee 

The  Committee  to  Estimate  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  to 
defray  the  Expences  of  the  present  Year  &  to  consider  what  Sums 
it  will  be  proper  to  grant  to  the  Several  Officers  in  the  pay  of  the 
Towu  —  Reported  and  the  same  being,  considered,  the  Town 
came  into  the  following  Resolutions,  —  Viz',  (mem0,  about  60 
persons  present) 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  eighty  five  pounds,  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary  the  present 
Year,  the  same  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  last  &  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  one  hundred  eighty  five  Pounds  be 
Allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  for  his  Salary  the  present 
Year  the  same  to  commence  [74.]  the  1st.  of  March  last,  and 
to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty  Pounds  be 
allowed  and  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Tileston  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  North  Writing  School  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  the  1st : 
of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  James  Carter  for  his  Salary  as  Master 
of  the  Writing  School  in  Queen  Street  the  present  Year  and  the 
same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  com- 
mence from  the  1st.  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred  &  Sixty  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  John  Vinal  as  Master  of  the  Writing 
School  in  the  Common  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  the  1st.  March 
last  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty  Pounds  be 
allowed  &  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  as  Master  of  the  New 
Writing  School  at  North  End,  the  present  Year  the  same  to  be 
paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  &  to  commence  the 
1st.  March  last 

Voted,  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  Sixty  Pounds,  be  allowed 
&  paid  unto  Mr.  Elisha  Sticknor  for  his  Sallary  as  Master  of 
the  New  [75.]  S°.  Writing  School,  the  present  Year,  the  same 
to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence 
the  1st.  of  March  last  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  175 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Amasa  Dingley  Usher  of  the  South  Grammar 
School  be  Allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of  Ninety  two  Pounds  ten 
shillings  for  his  Salary  the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1st.  of 
March  last  — 

Voted,  that  the  Ushers  of  the  Writing  Schools  be  allowed  for 
their  Salaries,  as  Ushers  Eighty  Pounds  ^  Annum  each,  the 
same  to  be  paid  them  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  com- 
mence the  1st.  March  last 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  &  hereby  are  Authorised  &  im- 
powered  to  make  according  to  their  discretion  an  Additional 
Allowance  to  any  of  the  Ushers  not  exceeding  ten  Pounds  — 

Voted,  that  the  Master  of  the  Public  Schools  have  ten  Cords 
of  "Wood  each  provided  for  them  by  the  Selectmen  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  Master  of  the  North  Writing 
School  be  allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the  Sum  of 
Thirty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due  &  to  commence  from  the  1st :  of  March  last  — 

[76.]  Voted,  that  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  Master  of  the  North 
Grammer  School  be  allowed  &  paid  for  House  Rent  the  present 
Year  the  Sum  of  Thirty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly 
as  it  shall  become  due  &  to  commence  the  1st;  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Vinal  Master  of  the  Writing  School  in 
the  Common  be  Allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present  Year  the 
Sum  of  Thirty  Pounds  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1st :  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Samuel  Cheney  Master  of  the  New  Writing 
School  at  the  North  End  be  Allowed  for  House  Rent  the  present 
Year  the  Sum  of  Thirty  Pounds,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quar- 
terly as  it  shall  become  clue  &  to  commence  the  1st :  of  March 
last 

Voted,  that  Twenty  Pounds  be  Allowed  for  providing  Ink  for 
the  five  Public  Writing  Schools 

Adjourned  to  3  :  O  Clock  P.  M 

3  ;  0  :  Clock  P  :  M  :     Met  According  to  Adjournment 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  be  allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of  One 
hundred  &  Twenty  Pounds  for  his  Services  as  Treasurer  the  pres- 
ent Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become 
due  and  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  last  — 


176  City  Document. 

Voted,  that  Peter  Boyer  Esqr.  be  allowed  &  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  &  Twenty  Pounds  for  Ins  Services  as  Treasurer  the 
present  Year  the  same  [77.]  to  he  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due  and  to  commence  the  1st :  of  March  last  — 

Voted,  that  there  be  a  deduction  of  one  Man  from  each  Watch 
House  which  will  Leave  four  common  Men  and  one  Constable  to 
each,  they  to  be  paid  at  the  rate  of  six  Dollars  ^  Month  for  each 
common  Man  and  eight  Dollars  ^  Month  for  the  Constable.  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  several  Petitions  for 
paving  &  repairing  several  Streets,  have  attended  the  Business 
Assigned  them  —  View'd  the  Streets  —  Conferred  with  the  Gentle- 
men Selectmen  on  the  Subject  and  Obtained  an  Estimate  of  the 
Expence  And  take  leave  to  Report  as  their  Opinion  — 

That  the  several  Streets  mentioned  in  the  said  Petition  and  as 
many  more  not  mentioned,  want  to  be  now  paved  and  repaired 
—  but  the  Abilities  of  the  Town  at  present  will  not  Admit  of  it 
only  in  Part  —  Therefore  that  the  Selectmen  make  such  Repaires 
in  some  of  the  Streets  as  are  Absolutely  necessary  not  to  exceed 
the  sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  ;  and  that  when  a  Petition  is  pre- 
ferred for  a  Street  to  be  paved,  it  is  expected  the  Petitioners  or 
Abuttors  in  said  Street  lay  on  an  Accurate  Estimate  of  the  Ex- 
pence  before  the  Town  &  the  Sums  or  proportion  which  they,  the 
Petitioners  and  Abutters  will  be  held  to  pay,  the  Town  will  then 
Judge  of  their  Ability  to  Advance  their  proportions,  as  they  have 
heretofore  done  in  similar  Cases  of  Applications  ■ —  All  which  is 
submitted 

Thomas  Dawes  ^  Order 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  considered  —  the 
Question  was  put  —  and  the  Report  Accepted  — 

[78.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  examine  and  enquire  with  whom  ye.  charge  and  duty  lays, 
of  paving  and  repairing  the  lower  end  of  State  Street  from  Admi- 
ral Vernons  Head  to  the  Long  Wharff  — 

Moved,  and  obtained,  that  the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds  be  deducted 
from  —  Mr.  Nazro's  Pay  for  his  Attendance  on  the  Selectmen  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Seven  Thousand  five  hundred  Pounds 
be  raised  by  a  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Cur- 
rent Year  —  Also 

Voted,  that  when  the  Assessors  Assess  the  Town  Tax,  as  Voted 
Above,  they  make  a  special  an'd  Separate  Column  in  the  Rate 
List  and  therein  set  down  as  much  ^  centum  proportionally  on 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  177 

each  Persons  Tax  as  shall  in  the  whole  amount  to  Eighteen  hun- 
dred seventy  five  Pounds,  being  the  one  quarter  part  of  the 
£7,500  —  to  be  raised  for  the  expences  of  the  Year  ensuing  and 
that  the  Collectors  shall  receive  the  Sums  contained  in  said 
Column  in  Specie  only  and  the  same  shall  be  paid  Into  the  Town 
Treasury  &  sacredly  Appropriated  to  the  support  of  the  Town 
Poor  and  the  payment  of  Interest  due  to  the  Overseers  for  Monys 
Advanced  by  them  for  the  use  of  the  Poor  — 

Moved,  and  Voted,  that  all  Matters  and  things  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  next  General  Town  Meeting 
that  may  be  called  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 

[79.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhab- 
itants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in 
Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneiul  Hall  on  Friday 
the  fourth  of  July  A.  D.  1788  —  9.  O 'Clock  —  A  :  M  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

John  Brown  Esqr : 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote 

The  Committee  Appointed  the  last  year  to  make  choice  of  a 
Gentleman  to  Deliver  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary  of  Inde- 
pendence 

Reported 

That  they  had  made  Choice  of  Harrison  Gray  Otis 
Esqr.  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old 
South  Church  11.  O'Clock  leave  having  been  given  for  the  same  — 

Voted,  that  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr.  Otis  with 
the  aforegoing  Vote  — 

The  Meeting  was  then  Adjourned  to  the  Old  South  Church, 
there  to  Meet  at  11.  O'Clock  — 

11.  O'Clock  Met  at  the  Old  South  Church  According  to  Ad- 
journment — 

AN   ORATION 

To  commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was  de- 
livered by  Harrison  Gray  Otis  Esqr.  at  the  Old  South  [80.] 
Church,  to  a  large  &  crowded  Assembly 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a 
Committee  to  wait  on  Harrison  Gray  Otis  Esqr :  and  in  the  Name 


178  City  Document. 

of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the  Spirited  &  elegant  Oration  this 
Day  delivered  by  him  at  the  request  of  the  Town,  upon  the  Anni- 
versary of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of  America,  in 
which,  according  to  the  Institution  of  the  Town  he  considered  the 
feeling  manners  and  principals  which  led  to  that  great  National 
Event  —  And  to  request  of  him  a  Copy  thereof  for  the  Press 

On  a  Motion,  Voted,  that  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  be 
and  hereby  are  Appointed,  a  Committee  to  Apply  to  Some  one 
learned  and  able  Gentleman  to  Deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th  of 
July  A.  D  1789,  that  Day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America  wherein  the  Orator  is 
to  consider  the  feelings  manners  and  principals  which  led  to  this 
great  National  Event ;  as  well  as  the  Important  and  happy 
Effects  whether  General  or  Domestic,  which  have  already  and 
will  forever  continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[81.]  Conformably  to  a  Vote  of  the  Town  passed  the  10th  of 
March  1788.  Impowering  the  Selectmen  "to  give  names  to  such 
Streets  as  have  gone  by  different  Names  since  the  revolution  and 
to  record  the  same  in  the  Town  Books,  as  Also  the  Names  of 
such  Streets  as  have  not  been  recorded  "  —  the  following  Names 
given  by  the  Selectmen  to  such  Streets  —  are  here  accordingly 
Recorded  &  the  Names  of  the  Other  Streets  —  may  be  seen  in 
Town  Book  N°.  2.  Page  293 
The  way  leading  from  Cambridge  Bay  be-  } 

tween  Doctor  Spragues  Estate  and  Mr :    | 

Harris,  cross  Orange  Street,  easterly  by   \  Castle  Street 

William  Marshall  Estate  into  the  Har-    | 

bour J 

From  Orange  Street  by  the  South  Writing  ^ 

School  through  what  was  called  Tilley's    i  plea8ant  Street 

Land,  to  the  bottom  of  the  Common  and   [ 

to  Frog  Lane  ---------J 

From  Orange  Street    by  the   Revd :    Dr :  )  ,T  o.      + 

t,     i     ,     i      n  •      TT    J     ,    -p        T  \  Nassau  Street 

Boyles  s  dwelling  House  to  Irog  Lane  -  j 

From    Orange    Street    Opposite    Nassau  j  . ,,        T 

Street  easterly  to  the  Harbour  -  -  -  j 
From  Orange  Street  Easterly  by  D' :  Phil-  \  ^^  ^^ 

lips  House  to  the  Sea    ------) 

From    Orange    Street,  Westerly   by   Mr.   )  Homg  gtreet 

Wights  Meeting  House,  to  Nassau  Street  j 
From   Orange    Street    easterly   by  Cap*.   {  Harvard  Street 

Fellows  s  House  to  the  Sea  -  -  -  -  j 
[82.]    From  Orange  Street  Westerly  by  \ 

Mrs.  Inches  House  and  crossing  Nassau   >•  Eliots  Street 

Street  to  Pleasant  Street ) 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788. 


179 


y  Kneelands  Lane 


Sheafs  Lane 


Purchase  Street 


i 

J>  Belchers  Lane 


Round  Lane 


Federal  Street 


From  Orange  Street  easterly  by  Mr. 
Kneeland's  Estate  to  the  Harbour    -     - 

From  Newbury  Street  near  the  White 
Horse  Tavern,  Westerly  into  the  Com- 
mon by  Mr.  Holbrooks  House      -     -     - 

From  the  Bottom  of  Summer  Street  to 
near  the  Bull  Tavern,  to  the  bottom  of 
Grridley's  Lane    ------- 

From  Purchase  Street  to  Battery  March  - 

From   Milk  Street  passing  by  the  Loan 

Office,    crossing  ,  Cow   Lane    down    to   >-  Atkinson  Street 
Purchase  Street ) 

From  Cow  Lane  Easterly  by  Mr.  Gray's   I  p  T 

Rope  Walk  to  Milk  Street       -     -     -     -  f  ™ys  ^ane 

From  Atkinson  Street  to  Mr.  Belknap's 
Meeting  House  in  Federal  Street      -     - 

From  Milk  Street  by  Mr.  Belknaps  Meet- 
ing House  up  to  Cow  Lane  formerly 
Longe  Lane    ---------) 

From  Federal  Street,  by  Deacon  Williams's  )  ^,          ,   T 
!  •  *    '*  4.T  ■         o*    '■  4.  r  Barrack  Lane 

house  into  Atkinson  Street      -     -     -     -  j 

From  Milk  Street  Opposite  Tanner's  Lane  \ 

southerly  by  the  Rope  Walks  to  Cow  >■  Palmer  Street 
Lane --) 

From   the   bottom   of  Water   Street  into 

Milk  Street 

From   Water    Street    opposite    Leveret's  )  ^  ,,       0, 
t         •  4-    tv/t-h    o+      4-  r  Dalton  Street 

Lane  into  Milk  Street j 

From   Cornhill,    each   side   of   the    State 

House  downe  to  the  Longe  Wharf  for- 
merly King  Street -     - 

[83.]     From     State    Street    by    Oliver 

Dock,  to  Daffornes  corner  in  Milk  Street 

(formerly  Mackrel  Lane)  -     -     -     -     - 
From  Leveret's  Lane  opposite  the  Quaker's  )  T       ,  „    T 

Meeting  House  to  Kilby  Street    -     -     .  }  Lyndalls  Lane 
From  State  Street  near  the  State  House  ) 

to    Water    Street     (formerly    Pudding  >•  Devonshire  Street 

Lane) ' ) 

From  Cornhill,  eastward  by  Concert  Hall  )  ~,       ,  „., 

to  Cambridge  ( formerly  Queen  Street    -  j 
From  Court    Street   opposite  the  Orange  \ 

Tree  Westward  to  Dr.   Bulfinchs  Pas-  [■  Southacks  Court 

ture ) 

From   Cambridge    Street,    to    Mr.     Pitt's  )  „.,  ,  ,    T 

House  in  Southacks  Court |  Fitch  s  Lane 

From  Beacon  Street  in  the  Common   by  \ 

Grovr :  Hancocks  tending  northward  over   | 

the  hill,  from  Gov1'.   Hancocks  garden   !>  Hancock  Street 

down    to    Cambridge    Street    formerly 

George  Street  and  Davis  Lane     -     -     - 


Adams  Street 


State  Street 


Kilby  Street 


180 


City  Document. 


From  Hancock  Street,  southerly  by  Mr.  ~\ 

Austin's  Ropewalk  and  by  the  Powder  V  Warren  Street 

House  clown  to  Cambridge  Bay    -     -     -  -J 
From    Cambridge     Street     northerly    ^  I  Chambers  street 

the  Marsh,  to  Mr.  Allen's  House      -     -  j 
From  Green    Street  up   the  Hill  to   W.   )  Shute  gtreet 

Russell's  Rope  Walk j 

From  Shute  Street  Westerly  by  Cap*.  Job  j  AUemj  gtreet 

Princes  to  Cambridge  Street  -     -     -     -  J 
From  Green  Street  Northerly  to  Bartons  j  L  te  Street 

Point j 

From  Cambridge  Street  Northerly  by  Mr.  i 

Howards    Meeting    House,    to    Green  j-  Lyncle  Street 

Street   ) 

From  Cambridge  Street  by  Cap* :  Cheever's   )  staniford  street 

to  Green  Street J 

From   Leveretts    Street   by   Mr.    Piercies  j  Mm  Street 

Distill  House  to  the  Causeway     -     -     -  j 
[84.]     From  Green  Street  by  Mr.  Gooches  j  pit  ,    Lane 

to  Mill  Pond ) 

The    Square    before   D' :    Bulfinches    and   !  Bowcloins  Square 

Deacon  Newells ) 

From  Bowdoins  Square  easterly  to  Nath.  1 

Halls  House,  and  from  thence  to  Sud-   >  Hawkins  Street 

bury  Street ) 

From  Cambridge  Street  by  Mr.  Copelands  j  Aldens  Lane 

House  to  Sudbury  Street   -     -     -     -     -  j 
From   Hawkins    Street,    passing   by   Mr.   ) 

Scollays  Distill  House  to  the  Mill  Pond   Y  Distill  House  Square 

and  Southerly  to  Sudbury  Street  -     -     -  ) 
From  Cambridge  Street  by  Mr.  Cullenders  }  Middlecot  Street 

House  to  Beacon  Hill j 

From  Middlesex  Street,  round  the  bottom  ^ 

of    Beacon   Hill   into   Hancock    Street  j-  Hill  Street 

opposite  Mr.  Austin's  Rope  Walk     -     -  ) 
From  Cambridge  Street  opposite  Staniford  \  Temple  gtreet 

Street  southerly  to  Beacon  Hill    -     -     -  j 
From    Hill   Street   Northerly  passing   by  \ 

Deacon    Landman    and    Mr.     Breed's   >  Ridgway  Lane 

Estate  into  Cambridge  Street  -     -     -     -  ) 
From  Hanover  Street  by  Dr.  Packers  to  \  Friends  street 

the  Mill  Pond J 

From  Friends  Street,  opposite  Mr.  Spears  jDeacon>s  Street 

House,  to  Cold  Lane     ------  J 

From  Ann  Street  North  of  the  Bridge  into  |  Center  street 

Middle  Street j 

From  North  Street  by  Dr.  Eliots  Meeting  j  Clarkes  street 

House  into  Ship  Street j 

Washington    Street   from    Orange    Street  ^ 

at  Fortification     -     -     -     to  the  Bounds  >  Washington  Street 

of  the  Town  at  the  Roxbury  Line     -     -  ) 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  181 

[85.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Fanuiel  Hall  on  Thurs- 
day the  25th  September  Anno  Domini  1788  -  -  3  0. Clock 
P:M:  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  be  chosen  by  a  Hand  Vote  — 

Honble:  Samuel  Adams  Esqr :  chosen  Moderator  of  this  Meet- 
ing —  read  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  read,  together  with  the  Petition  of 
a  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  for  calling  this  Meeting    -   -  -    read 

The  Selectmen  also  laid  before  the  Inhabitants  a  State  of  the 
Small  Pox  for  some  time  past,  whereby  it  Appeared  that  the 
Small  Pox  was  not  now  in  any  Family  in  this  Town,  save  at  the 
Hospital  at  New  Boston  —  whereupon  the  following       -     -     - 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  of  this  Town  be  &  hereby  are  Ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  waite  upon  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  of 
Brookline  &  other  Towns  in  the  Vicinity  in  which  Hospitals  for 
the  Practice  of  Inoculation  have  been  permitted,  to  request  that 
every  precaution  should  be  taken  to  Inure  the  strictest  observance 
of  the  respective  regulations  and  at  the  same  time  to  prevent  all 
unnecessary  intercourse  between  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town 
and  any  of  the  Patients  or  Persons  belonging  to  such  Hospitals, 
from  whom  any  danger  of  Infection  may  be  reasonably  Appre- 
hended, in  order  as  far  as  possible  to  guard  against  any  future 
Alarm  from  this  quarter 

[86.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Petitioners  relative  to 
the  small  Pox  have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  publish  the  State  of 
the  small  Pox  in  all  the  Public  Papers  in  this  Commonwealth 

The  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  8th.  Day 
of  October  A.  D.  1788  10.  O  Clock  :  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

The  Inhabitants  having  determined  to  choose  two  Representa- 
tives Agreeably  to  the  Precept  received  for  that  purpose  —  it  was 


182  City  Document. 

moved  &  Voted — that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  for  that  pur- 
pose to  3  O'Clock  :  P  :  M  — 

3  O'Clock  P :  M :  Met  according  to  Adjournm*. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  two  Representatives  and  then  it  was  declared  by  the 
Selectmen  that  they  proposed  the  Poll  should  be  closed  at  half 
past  4  O'Clock  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  two  Representatives,  the  Num- 
ber of  the  same  were  found  to  be  two  hundred  &  sixty  two 
and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared,  that  the  following  Gentlemen 
were  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz*.  — 

[87.]  Honble:   Oliver  Wendell  Esqr. 252 

Christopher  Core  Esq. 154 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  and  declared  by  the 
Selectmen  —  It  was  moved  &  and  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  be 
chosen  by  a  Hand  Vote,  to  preside  in  the  Meeting  for  transacting 
the  other  Matters  mentioned  in  the  Warrant 

Honble :    Samuel  Adams  Esq1, 
was  chosen  Moderator,  and  took  his  Seat 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  Assise  of  Bread  — 
was  read,  and  After  debate  had  thereon,  it  was  moved  and  Voted, 
that  the  further  debate  on  this  Matter  shall  subside 

The  Committee  relative  to  a  New  School  at  the  South  part  of 
the  Town  —  Reported  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  this  Report  be  recommitted,  and  said  Committee 
are  Instructed  to  prepare  a  plan  of  the  Land  and  School  House 
together  with  an  Estimate  of  what  may  be  the  expence  of  the 
proposed  Undertaking,  and  Report  at  the  next  Town  Meeting 
Copy  &  Papers  dl'd  Mr.  Core 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  this  Meeting  be  Adjourned  to  Thurs- 
day Next  the  being  the  1 6th  Ins*,  at  3 .  O'Clock  P  :  M  — 

Thursday  the  16th  of  October  3.  0  Clock  P :  M  :  Met  according 
to  Adjournment 

The  Selectmen  Committee  relative  to  the  Lower  End  of  State 
State  Street  Report,  that  they  have  examined  the  Records  of  the 
Town  and  made  enquiry  with  whom  the  charge  and  duty  lays  of 
paving  and  repairing  the  lower  end  of  State  street,  from  Admiral 
Vernons  Head  to  the  Long  Wharff ,  are  of  Opinion,  that  it  is  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1788.  183 

duty  of  the  Town  to  do  the  same,  the  Abutters  paying  their  pro- 
portionable part  ^  Order  John  Scollay  Chairman 

[88.]  The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  considered,  it  was 
Voted  that  the  same  be  accepted  and  that  the  Selectmen  be  In- 
structed to  order  such  Repairs  to  said  Street  &  in  such  Manner 
as  they  may  Judge  expedient  and  with  as  much  speed  as  may  be 

Voted  that  all  Matters  unfinished  at  this  Meeting  be  referred 
over  to  the  Next  Town  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston 
of  Twenty  one  Years  and  upwards,  qualified  as  the  Constitution 
prescribes  legally  Warned  in  public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at 
Faneuil  Hall  on  Thursday  the  18th  Day  of  December  Anno 
Domini  1788.  10  O  Clock  A.  M. 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr :  Freeman 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Resolve  of  the  General  Court  for  calling  the  Meeting  for  the 
Inhabitants  to  give  in  their  Votes  for  One  Person  to  Represent 
the  People  in  Congress  &  was  —  read 

The  Selectmen  after  taking  the  sense  of  the  Town  directed  the 
Inhabitants  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  a  Representative  in  Con- 
gress It  was  then  declared  that  no  Votes  would  be  received  but 
such  as  are  unfolded  &  that  the  Poll  was  to  be  Closed  at  12. 
O  Clock ;  Bells  to  be  rung  at  £  past  11  O'Clock" 

3  0  Clock  P  :  M  Assigned  for  bringing  in  Votes  for  Electors  of 
President  — 

[89.]  Persons  Voted,  as  Representatives  for  the  District  of 
Suffolk  with  the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  —  Viz'. 

Votes 

Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 439 

Honble:  Samuel  A.  Otis  Esqr. 15 

Fisher  Ames  Esqr. 445 

jjontrie .  james  Bowdoin  Esq1. 2 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  According  to  Adjournment 


184  City  Document. 

Persons  Voted,  for  as  Candidates  for  an  Elector  of  President 
&  Vice  President  for  the  United  States,  with  the  Number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person  Viz*. 

Honble:  Jabez  Fisher  Esqr. 369 

HonWe  :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 289 

Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 85 

Honble :  James  Bowdoin  Esqr.     -----  3 

Cap'.  Norton  Brailsford 1 

Cap*.  Elias  Parkman    --------  1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Representatives 
for  the  District  of  Suffolk  &  Candidates  for  an  Elector  of  Presi- 
dent &  Vice  President  for  the  United  States,  were  committed  to 
the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  Inclosures  sealed 
up  in  Town  Meeting  Subscribed  as  follows  Viz*. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr : 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

The  Number  of  the  Votes  for  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Person 
to  Represent  the  People  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  & 
for  two  Persons  as  Candidates  for  an  Elector  of  the  President 
and  Vice  President  of  the  United  States  Certified  &  Sealed  up  in 
Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[90.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  pub- 
lic Town  Meeting  Assembled  ""at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the 
9th  of  March  Anno  Domini  1789  —  10  O  Clock  Fore-noon  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd  :  Mr :  Montague 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  accordingly  -  -  - 
read 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  &  the  same  being  brought 
in  &  sorted  it  Appeared  that 

The  Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
was  chosen.  — 

William  Cooper 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  took  the  Oath 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  185 

of  Office  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  Duty,  which  Oath  was 
Administered  to  him  by  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr :  As  Also  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance,  which  was  signed  as  the  Law  directs  — 

The  Town  having  determined  by  Vote  to  choose  Nine  Select- 
men the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  that  Number ;   and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
sorted  it  Appeared  that  the  following  gentlemen  Viz*. 
[91.]  John  Scollay  Esqr : 

Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr : 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr : 

John  Brown  Esq1 :-----     (Dead) 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 

John  Andrews  Esqr : 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr : 

Deacon  William  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Seaver 
were  chose  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  had  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  Administred  to  them  by  the  Town  Clerk  —  the  same 
was  also  signed  by  them  as  the  Law  directs  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Votes  being 
brought  in  and  sorted  it  Appeared  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr : 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

John  White  Esqr : 

Edward  Procter  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr : 

Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Henry  Hill  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  Codman  Junr. 

Mr.  William  Smith 

Mr.  William  Phillips  Jur. 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[92.]  Votes,  for  a  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk 
brought  in  and  counted  by  the  Moderator  and  Town  Clerk, 
when  it  Appeared  that  the  whole  Number  was  two  hundred  eighty 
Six,  and  that  they  were  all  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr :  A  discreet 
Suitable  Person  being  a  Freeholder,  and  Resident  in  the  same 
County  —  Mem0  :  the  Attested  Copies  dl'd  y1.  Clerk  of  Sessions 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  choice  of  Wardens  subside  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  sixteen  Fire  Wards  and  the  same  having  been  brought 
in  and  sorted,  it  Appeared  that  — 


186  City  Document. 

William  Cooper 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr.    -     -     -     -     excused 
Thomas  Tileston 
Thomas  Melville  Esqr. 
Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 
HonWe  :  Caleb  Davis  Esq1. 
Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr- 
Johu  Winthrop  Esqr. 
Johu  May  Esq1. 
Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 
Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 
M*.  Joseph  Clarke 
Paul  Dudley  Sergeant  Esqr.  excused 
Thomas  Russell  Esq1'. 
Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
Mr.  Daniel  Hubbard 
were  chose  Fire  Wards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

[93.]  On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  to 
be  chosen,  shall  give  Bond  to  the  Selectmen,  and  be  sworn  to  the 
faithful  discharge  of  his  Trust ;  and  to  Account  and  Settle  with 
the  Selectmen  once  a  Week  — 

Voted,  that  the  pay  of  the  Person  that  shall  be  chosen  the 
Clark  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  — 

The  Vote  being  brought  in  for  a  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market 
it  appeared  that  — 

Mr.  Matthew  Nazro 
was  chosen  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P.  M. 

3.  O.  Clock  P.  M  :  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Selectmen  were  chosen  surveyors  of  the  High  Ways  for  the 
year  ensuing  — 

John  White  Esq1'. 
John  Sweets  er  Esqr. 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Wheat  for  the  year  ensuing 
Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
were  chose  Assay  Masters  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Benjamin  White 
Samuel  Dyer 
William  Crafts 
Andrew  Townsend 
"  William  Todd 
were  chose  Fence  Viewers  for  the  year  ensuing 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  187 

[94.]  Messrs :  William  Billings 

Samuel  Bangs 

Nathan  Green 

Thomas  Bradlee 

Jacob  Holland 
were  chose  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mr.  Adam  Col  son 
was  chose  an  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Year  ensuing. 

Mess1'8 :  George  Hamlin 
John  Skinner 
Francis  Booth 
were  chose  Hogreeves  for  the  ensuing  Year  — 

Messrs :  Francis  Booth 

Cap1.  Samuel  Ballard  —  (resigned) 
Cap*.  John  Ballard  Senr. 
were  chosen  Haywards  for  the  ensuing  Year 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  Col0  :  Crafts  be  a  Committee  to  revise 
the  By  Law  of  the  Town  and  be  desired  to  revise  the  Law  relative 
to  Bulls  &  Report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  procure  two  Bulls,  to 
go  at  large  on  the  Common  untill  the  5th  of  April  next  — 

Voted,  that  four  per  cent  be  Allowed  and  hereby  is  allowed  the 
Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing  for  all  such  Sums  of 
Money  and  public  Securities  of  the  Sums  committed  to  them  to 
Collect  within  Ten  Months  from  the  Receipt  of  the  Tax  Books 
and  three  per  cent  on  all  such  other  Sums  as  shall  Afterwards  be 
Collected  also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  [95.]  with 
Sufficient  Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen,  for  the 
faithful  discharge  of  their  Duty  in  said  Office  and  complying  with 
this  Vote  —  and  that  they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gra- 
tuity for  discounting  Any  Order,  Note  or  Receipt  from  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  State,  or  the  Treasurer  of  the  Town  — 

Messrs :  Benjamin  Henderson 

James  Thompson 

Thomas  Bay  ley 

Charles  Williams 
were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  &  qualified 
themselves  as  the  Law  directs  — 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  empowered  & 
directed  to  set  for  such  Abatement  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable,  two  Days  in  each  Week,  After  the  delivery  of  the 
Tax  Bill's  to  the  Collector's  for  the  space  of  six  Weeks  and  no 


188  City  Document. 

longer,  —  Saving  that  they  be  Allowed  to  Set  the  last  Week  in 
February,  Lords  Days  excepted  for  the  Abatement  of  the  Taxes 
of  such  Persons  as  had  not  an  Opportunity  of  Applying  in  the 
Above  limited  Time  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Com- 
monwealth or  any  other  unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the 
Assessors  determine  upon  two  said  Days  which  is  to  be  Noted  on 
the  Tax  Bills  to  be  delivered  to  the  Inhabitants 

Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be  five  shillings  ^ 
Day,  for  the  Time  they  may  set  in  doing  the  Business  of  their 
Office  — 

[96.]     Voted,  that  Mr.  William  Lowder 
Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 
Samuel  Ruggles  Esq1. 
John  R.  Sigorney 
Mr.  Edward  Davis 

were  chose  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing  &  qualified  themselves 
as  the  Law  directs 

Voted,  that  the 

Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1'. 

Joseph  Russell  Jim1'.  Esqr. 

Maf.  William  Bell 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 

Cap*.  James  Prince 
be  a  Committee  on  the  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz* :  "To  con- 
sider the  Application  of  John  May  Esqr :  that  a  Common  Shore 
may  be  carried  from  Boston  Neck  into  the  Bay  at  the  Expence  of 
the  Town  "  — Also  the  Estimate  presented  —  And  said  Committee 
are  desired  to  make  enquiry,  how  far  the  Proprietors  have  com- 
plied with  the  Terms  of  their  Purchase  and  to  Report  at  the 
Adjournment  what  they  shall  Judge  proper  to  be  done 

The  Petition  of  Dr.  Joseph  Whipple  by  Cap*.  Samuel  Laha 
relative  to  improving  a  house  at  Rainsford  Island,  was  read 
whereupon  —  Voted  that  the  Petition  be  granted,  and  that  the 
Town  do  Approve  of  their  request  — 

[97.]  The  Petition  of  Samuel  Abbot  Esqr :  was  read,  where- 
upon — 

Voted,  that  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Committee  hereafter  to 
be  Appointed  to  consider  what  Sum  it  is  necessary  should  be 
raised  for  the  Expences  of  the  Town  and  to  Report  at  the  Ad- 
journment. — 

Joseph  Barrel declines 

Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Jonathan  Mason  Senr.  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esq8. 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  189 

were  then  Appointed  a  Committee  to  take  this  Petition  and  the 
State  of  the  Other  Creditors  of  the  Town  into  consideration  &  to 
Report  at  the  Adjournment  the  Sum  necessary  to  be  raised  for 
the  service  of  the  present  Year 

Also  Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer's  Accompts  be  referred 
to  said  Committee  for  their  examination 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  fortnight  10'  OClock  Forenoon  — 

Tuesday  the  Seventeenth  Day  of  March  10.  O'Clock  Forenoon, 
Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  following  Officers  were  chosen  and  should  have  followed 
the  choice  of  Fire  Wards  for  Town  Treasurer  — 

Peter  Boyer  Esq1" : 
was  chosen  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  who  took  the  Oath  of 
Office  also  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  Subscribed  the  same  which 
Oath  were  Administered  to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk  — 

[98.]  The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for 
Twelve  Constables  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  — 

Messrs :  Benjamin  Homans 
Samuel  Whitney 
Shubael  Hewes 
John  Bosson 
^John  Butterfield 
James  Perkins 
John  Cades 
John  Mc.Lane  -     -     -     -     -     -     declines 

Samuel  Smith 
Henry  Crompston 

James  Williams declines 

Edward  Wentworth 
were  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing,  and  were  all  quali- 
fied as  the  Law  directs  — 

Saving  Mr.  Mc.Lane  & 

Mr.  James  Williams 
who  decline  serving  as  Noted  Above  — 

The  Moderator  of  this  Meeting  having  Acquainted  the  Town 
by  Letter,  that  the  business  of  the  Council  then  Setting  prevented 
his  Attendance  — 

The  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  of  the  Meeting  Pro.  Tern0. 

Col0.  Proctor,  &  Col0.  Sergeant  who  were  chosen  Fire  Wards 
having  declined  Serving  in  that  Office  — 


190  City  Document. 

[99.]  Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  &  hereby  are 
given  to  said  Gentlemen  as  also  to  Mr.  John  Lowell,  Andrew 
Symmes  Esqr :  Mr.  Henry  Bass  &  Ebnr.  Hancock  Esqr.  for  their 
good  &  faithful  service  in  the  Office  of  Fire  Wards  a  Number  of 
Years  Past 

Tbe  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  two  Fire  Wards,  &  the  same  having  brought  in  and 
counted  it  Appeared  that 

Cap*.  John  Ballard 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chosen  — 

Mr.  William  McNeil 

John  Cray  Esqr : 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs :  Henry  Blaisdel 

John  Champney 

Benjamin  Page 

Joshua  Bentley 

Samuel  Dyer 

James  Rogers 

Abraham  Hayward 

Edmund  Ranger 

Clement  Collens 

Moses  May 

John  Cogswell 

Benjamin  White 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Boards  &  Shingles  for  the  Year  ensu- 
ing— 

Messrs :  Job  Wheelwright 

Joshua  Pico 

Thomas  Purkett 
[100.]  William  Parkman 

Lemuel  Gardner 

Joseph  Loring 

Thomas  Foster 

John  Bray 

Edward  Dolbeare 

Caleb  Hay  den 

Edward  Burt 

Manassah  Marston 

Samuel  Harris 

John  Owen 

Samuel  Avis 

Ebenr :  Woodward 

David  Marston 

Arther  Langford 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Hoops  &  Staves  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  191 

Mr :  Edward  Jones 
was  chosen  a  Hayward  in  the  Room  of  Cap* :  Samuel  Ballard,  who 
declined  serving  — 

The  Vote  for  choosing  four  Clerks  of  the  Market,  reconsidered, 
&  it  was  Voted  that  the  Matter  as  to  Clerks  of  the  Market,  be 
referred  to  the  Adjourmnen*. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Samuel  Abbot 
Esqr :  read  whereupon  —  Voted  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Ad- 
journed it  shall  be  to  Monday  next,  10  O 'Clock  A  :  M :  for  the 
purpose  of  taking  up  this  Report,  and  all  Money  Matters  — 

The  Town  Clerk  is  directed  to  give  Notice  thereof  to  the  Town 
in  all  the  Public  Papers 

The  Committee  relative  to  Bulls  Reported  :  on  Motion  said  Re- 
port was  committed  to  the  Committee  [101.]  for  revising  the 
Code  of  By  Laws  —  who  are  desired  to  Report  a  By  Law  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid  at  the  Adjournment  —  Voted  that 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Cap*.  James  Prince 

Majr.  William  Thompson 
be  and  hereby  are  Appointed  a  Committee  to  Audit  the  Accompts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  &  also  the  Accounts  of  the  Selectmen  and 
Overseers  of  the  Poor  —  And  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  it  be  recommend  to  the  Constables 
that  they  Walk  on  the  Lords  Day  as  Usual  in  Order  to  prevent 
disorders  on  that  Day 

Adjourned  Agreeable  to  the  presiding  Vote  to  Monday  next 
being  the  23d.  Ins* :  10  O'Clock  A  :  M. 

Monday  the  23d  March  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met  According  to 
Adjournment  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  to  Choose  12  Clerks  of  the  Market,  as  usual  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  Mr.  Abbots  Petition,  and  other 
Money  Matters,  having  Reported  -the  Sum  Necessary  to  be 
Raised  by  the  Town  for  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Current 
Year  —  It  was  moved  &  Voted,  that  this  Report  be  recommitted 
and  that  said  Committee  be  directed  to  confer  with  the  Committee 
Appointed  to  Audit  the  Town  Treasurers  Accompts,  and  to  Re- 
port again  at  the  General  Town  Meeting  in  May  next.  Also 
Voted  that  the  said  Committee  who  are  Appointed  to  prepare  an 
Estimate  of  the  Town  Necessary  to  be  raised  the  Present  Year 
be  a  Committee  to  Consider  of  the  Salaries  &  [102.]  Grants 
Necessary  for  the  School  Masters  &  Other  Salary  Men,  and  that 


192  City  Document. 

the  said  Committee  Notify  the  School-Masters,  Town  Clerk, 
Town  Treasurer  and  Other  Salary  Men  who  have  not  had  their 
pay  Voted  Them,  of  their  Time  of  Setting  that  they  may  be 
heard  by  said  Committee  before  they  Report  thereon  to  the 
Town 

The  Petition  of  Paul  D.  Sergeant  Esqr.  &  Mr.  George  Make- 
peace were  read,  whereupon  Moved  &  Voted,  that  said  Petition 
be  committed  — 

Jonathan  Mason  Junr : 

Honble  :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  May 

Honble:   Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

Majr.  William  Thompson 
and  the  Committee   are  Instructed  to  enquire  into  the  Circum- 
stances of  the  Petitioners,  and  Report  to  the  Town  what  they 
shall  Judge  Reasonable  and  best  to  be  done  on  those  Petitions  — 

Mr.  Bayley  One  of  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  present  Year 
having  proposed  a  Check  on  the  Collectors  for  the  Consideration 
of  the  Town  —  It  was  moved  &  Voted,  that.said  proposal  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Seargeants  &  Mr.  Makepeaces 
Petition  for  their  Consideration,  who  are  desired  to  Report  to  the 
Town  what  they  shall  Judge  best  to  be  done  thereon  — 

Cap*.  James  Prince 

Mr.  Samuel  Hunt 

Mr.  Jeremiah  Williams 

Mr.  Benjamin  Green  Jur. 

Mr.  David  Spear  Jun1'. 

Mr.  Caleb  Blodget 
[103.]  Mr.  Joseph  Callender  Junr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Torrey 

Mr.  William  Morrel 

Mr.  Thomas  Boardman 

Col0.  Samuel  Bradford 

Mr.  Nathan  Bond 

Mr.  Andrew  Oliver 
were  chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Mr.  Jacob  Bucknam 
chosen  Hay  ward  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Messrs:  Joseph  Ayres 
Josiah  Nottage 
Majr.  Joshua  Davis 
were  chose  Surveyers  of  Boards  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  and  Things  which  shall  remain  unfin- 
ished at  this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General  Town  Meet- 
ing in  May  next  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  193 

Col0.  Crafts  Appointed  for  that  purpose  Reported  the  follow- 
ing, By  Law  relative  to  Bulls 

It  is  hereby  Ordered  that  the  Selectmen  shall  cause  two  or 
more  good  Bulls  to  be  provided,  which  shall  be  placed,  and  be 
permitted  to  go  at  Large  upon  the  Common,  from  the  first  Day 
of  April  to  the  first  Day  of  November  and  one  or  more  from  the 
first  Day  of  November  to  the  first  Day  of  April  Yearly  &  every 
year  — 

And  it  is  hereby  Voted,  &  Ordered  that  whosoever  shall  keep 
any  Cow  or  Cows  going  at  Large  within  the  Neck  of  Boston  shall 
pay  into  the  hands  of  such  Eerson  or  Persons  as  the  Selectmen 
shall  from  [104.]  Time  to  Time  Appoint  to  receive  the  same,  a 
Sum  not  exceeding  Six  shillings  ^  Annum  for  each  Cow,  for  the 
purpose  of  keeping  two  or  more  Bulls  to  go  at  Large  on  the  Com- 
mon from  the  first  Day  of  April  to  the  first  Day  of  November. 
And  one  or  more  from  the  first  Day  of  November  to  the  first  Day 
of  April  following  as  the  Selectmen  shall  Order  from  Year  to 
Year  &  for  paying  the  Cow  keeper  or  Person  or  Persons  that  shall 
be  Appointed  by  the  Selectmen  to  receive  said  Money  —  And  the 
Selectmen  are  hereby  ordered  and  directed,  that  some  time  in  the 
Month  of  April  A.  D.  1789  &  every  Year  hereafter  in  the  Month 
of  February  to  Appoint  some  Person  or  Persons  to  receive  said 
Sum  not  exceeding  Six  Shillings,  whose  Name  or  Names  shall  be 
published,  in  the  News  Papers,  &  every  Person  having  any  Cow 
or  Cows  shall  Apply  to  said  Person  or  Persons  so  Appointed 
some  time  in  the  Month  of  April  Yearly  &  pay  to  him  the  Sum 
so  Assessed  by  the  Selectmen,  and  the  Person  or  Persons  so  Ap- 
pointed are  hereby  directed  to  give  a  Certificate  to  the  Owner  of 
each  Cow  shewing  that  they  have  paid  the  Sum  so  Assessed  by 
the  Selectmen  —  And  the  Person  or  Persons  so  Appointed  by  the 
Selectmen  is  hereby  ordered  &  directed  to  call  on  every  Person 
having  a  Cow  or  Cows  sometime  in  the  Month  of  May  Yearly 
who  have  Neglected  to  pay  unto  him  the  Sums  Assessed  by  the 
Selectmen,  and  have  not  received  a  Certificate  from  him  or  them 
of  the  payment  of  the  same  —  And  if  any  Person  or  Persons 
shall  have  any  Cow  or  Cows  which  they  shall  keep  in  their  Pas- 
tures or  Inclosures  &  do  not  Suffer  them  to  go  at  Large  on  the 
Common,  he  or  they  shall  pay  a  Sum  not  exceeding  three  Shillings 
towards  the  Bulls  ;  And  if  any  Cow  or  Cows  shall  be  found  going 
on  the  Common  whose  Owner  has  not  paid  the  Sums  as  Assessed 
by  the  Selectmen  not  exceeding  six  Shillings  [105.]  and  the 
Sum  not  exceeding  three  Shillings,  and  obtained  a  Certificate  of 
having  so  done,  such  Owner  shall  forfeit  and  pay  the  Sum  of 
Twelve  Shillings,  being  thereof  convicted  before  any  one  of  the 
Justices  of  the  Peace  within  the  County  of  Suffolk,  the  same  to 
be  recovered  by  the  Person  or  Persons  impowered  by  the  Select- 
men to  Collect  the  Money,  and  to  be  employed  for  and  towards 
the  defraying  the  Chai'ges  Aforesaid  — 


194  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  all  Laws  heretofore  made  respecting  Bulls  and 
Cows  be  and  hereby  are  Repealed  —  The  aforegoing  having  been 
Read  and  duly  considered  —  Voted,  that  the  same  be  Accepted 
as  a  By  Law,  and  that  the  Selectmen  be  desired  to  present  it 
to  the  Next  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  for  their 
Approbation 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

[106.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  Twenty  One  Years  of  Age  and  upwards,  qualified 
as  the  Constitution  prescribes,  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  6  Day  of 
April  Anno  Domini  1789  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr :  West  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverinent,  relative 
to  the  choice  of  Governor,  and  "Senators  —  also  —  read 

It  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes,  would  be  re- 
ceived but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll 
should  be  closed  at  One  O'Clock  —  &  the  Votes  to  be  received 
at  the  Table  — 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Bells  in  the  Town  be  set  a  Toll- 
ing half  an  hour  before  one  O'Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  with  the  Number  of  Votes  for 
each  Person  Viz* : 

Votes 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr.    -     -     -  1265 

Honle:   James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 569 

Honble :   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 1 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Liev*.  Governor  with  the  Number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person  Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble .  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 1219 

Honble .  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr.  -  -  -  -  617 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esq1'.  -  -  -  1 
Mr.  John  Richardson  Junr. -         1 

[107.]  Persons  Voted,  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk  with  the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble:   Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 1808 

Honble:  William  Phillips  Esqr. 1823 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  195 

Honble:   Cotton  Tuffet  Esq1'. 1789 

Honble:   Steven  Metcalf  Esq. 669 

Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1'. 1820 

Honble :  Elijah  Dunbar  Esqr 494 

Honble:  William  Heath  Esqr. 1144 

Honble:  Benjamin  Austin  Jur.  Esq.      -     -     -  1184 

John  Bead  Esq1'. 177 

Honble :  John  Lowell  Esq.      - 3 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 9 

Honble :  Richard  Cranch  Esqr. 8 

Honble :  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 1 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 5 

Honble :  Oliver  Wendell  Esq1. 1 

Mr.  John  Richardson  Ju1'. 1 

Mr.  Palfrey  Collins 2 

Mr.  Abraham  Fuller 2 

Honble :  Samuel  Nyles  Esqr. 2 

Honble :  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr.      -     -     -     -         3 
Honble :  Jabez  Fisher  Esqr. 3 

Attested  Copies  of  the 
Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Liev*.  Governor  and  Senators 
for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were  committed  to  the  Secretary  of 
this  Commonwealth,  and  the  Inclosures  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meet- 
ing Subscribed  as  follows  Viz*. 
[108.]  For 

John  Avery  Esq 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of 

Massachusetts. 

The  Number  of  Votes  for  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Governor 
Liev* :  Governor  and  six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  Cer- 
tified within  and  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 

[109.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
'tants  of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the 
12th  Day  of  May  A  :  D  :  1789  —  10  O  Clock  A:  M 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Dr.  Stillman 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Government  which 
relates  to  the*choice  of  Representatives,  read  — 


196  City  Document. 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  or  part  of  them  were 
accordingly     -     -     read 

The  Town  having  determined  to  Choose  'Seven  Persons  to 
Represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held 
at  the  State  House  in  Boston  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  May 
Current,  Agreeable  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment 
for  the  Massachusetts  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  with- 
draw &  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Seven  Representatives  and  there 
it  was  declared  by  the  Selectment  that  no  Votes  would  be  re- 
ceived but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose  the  Poll 
should  be  closed  at  \  past  12  0 'Clock 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives,  the 
Number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  six  hundred  fifty  Eight 
and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  that  the  following  Gentlemen 
were  Chosen  by  a  majority  of  Votes  Viz*. 

Votea 

[110.]     (resigned)  Honble:  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr.     -     -  621 

Samuel  Brick  Esqr. 648 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr.       -     -     -     -  659 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1. 625 

John  Winthrop  Esqr.   -     -     -     -     -  337 

Thomas  Dawes  Jun1'.  Esqr.    -     -     -  656 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 654 

A  Letter  of  Thomas  Russell  Esq1'.  Acquainting  the  Town  that 
he  declined  serving  as  Representative      -     -     -     -     was  read  — 

Dr.  Jarvis  being  in  Town  Meeting  Acquainted  the  Town  that 
he  declined  Serving  as  a  Representative  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  consideration  of  these  declinations 
&  how  the  Town  will  proceed  thereon  be  referred  to  3.  0  Clock 
P:  M: 

Adjourned  to  3  :  O 'Clock  P  :  M  : 

3.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  Met  According  to  Adjournment 

A  Letter  from  Thomas  Dawes  Jur.  Acquainting  the  Town  that 
he  declined  Serving  as  a  Representative. 

Adjourned  this  Meeting  for  the  Choice  of  Representatives  to 
Thursday  next  10.  O'Clock 

It  was  then  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Town  now  come  to  the 
Choice  of  a  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote,  in  order  to  Transact  the 
other  Affairs  mentioned  in  the  Warrant  — 

The  Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1',  was  chosen  Moderator. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  197 

The  Petition  of  Mr.  Samuel  Davis  that  the  Town  would  Lease 
him  a  Piece  of  Land" — was  read,  whereupon  Voted,  that  this 
Petition  be  reserved  to  the  Selectmen  for  consideration  who  are 
desired  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  — 

[111.]  The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  Audit  the  Town 
Treasurers  Accompts  —  was  read  —  whereupon  the  Question  was 
put  —  Whether  said  Report  shall  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the 
Affirmative  —  the  Report  is  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

The  Committee  on  the  Town  Treasurer's  Accounts  Report  that 
upon  examination  thereof,  they  Appear  to  be  methodically  stated 
&  regularly  kept  —  Also  that  the  Sums  charged  in  the  Towns 
Account  Current  from  the  8th  of  March  1788  to  the  7th  of  March 
1 789  —  as  rendered  by  the  Town  Treasurer  are  Authorized  by 
proper  documents  &  Vouchers  — 

The  Sums  Charged  are  as  follows  —  For  disco*:  of  £710  — 
Paper  Money  charged  in  the  Towns  Books  to  Col0.  Andrew 
Symmes,  which  he  Applied  in  payment  of  bounty  to  Soldiers  in 

July  1778 £167  ,,     1  ,,     2 

For  purchase  of   £1190  ,,  5  ,,  6    in   Army 

Notes,  attbe  rateof  8/ for 20/ to  discharge 

Arrears  of  Taxes  Assess 'd  on  the  Town,   , 

for  the  Commonwealth,  being  of  Abate-  ' 

ments  thereupon  in  the  Year  1785,  6,  7 

&  8 , 

For  Abatements  From  a  Town  Tax  Assessed 

1787 1258  ,,     6  ,,    8 

For  payments  of  Interest  on  Debts  of  the 

Town 429  ,,     7  ,,     1£ 

For  payments  of  Notes  issued  by  D  Jeffries, 

former  Treasurer 24, ,12, ,4 

For  12     Drafts    of     the 

Selectmen    -     -     -    4419  ,,  14  ,,  H^- 
12  Drafts  of  the  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  -    2581  ,,  14  ,,  10f 


7001     9  ,,  101 

Total     £9356  ,,  18  ,,  7| 

The  Sums  passed  to  the  Credit  of  the  Town,  are  as  follows  — 

For  Errors  in  Drafts  &c £16  ,,  10  ,,  2 

Fines  received 4,,    4,,  — 

Dues  received  from  J  Cunningham  &  Town  ">        iq7       iq  fli 

ofWilbraham \       16i  "  16  "  b * 

Money  received  for  a  Tomb  £7  ,,  10/  for)  .„       1f. 

Battery  Wharf  £36 j          4rf  >>  1U  >>  — 

Quit  Rents  received    --------               7,,     4,,  — 

Rents  received  for  Towns  Estate  Leased  out           425  ,,  15  ,,  9 


148  , 

,  9  „ 

H 

} 

7900  , 
£8683  , 

,  6„ 

9 

£8683  , 

,  6  „ 

9 

673  , 

,  11  „ 

10f 

£9356  , 

,  18  „ 

7| 

-  £673  , 

,  11  ,, 

lOf 

198  City  Document. 

Income  of  ye.  Market 

For  a  Tax  Assessed  on  the  Inhabitants  10th 

Septernr:  1788 

Total 


[113.]     Surmount  of  Charges  Above  the 
Receipts  &  Tax 


Besides  the  Above  Deficiency  of  -  -  - 
there  will  be  a  Large  deduction  from  the  Tax  of  1788  for  Abate- 
ments and  Charge  of  Collections  and  the  further  sum  of  £3604  ,, 
16/  —  will  become  due  in  the  course  of  this  Year  1789  for  Inter- 
est on  Notes  issued  by  the  Town  Treasurer  for  Debts  of  the 
Town  Amounting  to  £13481  ,,  16  ,,  11  £ 

All  which  is  Submitted 
Boston  May  11th.  1789.  J.  Prince 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  Report  an  Estimate  of  the  Sum 
Necessary  to  be  raised  by  the  Town  for  the  Expences  of  the 
present  Year  Reported  Accordingly  whereupon 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds  be  allowed 
&  paid  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Hunt  for  his  Salary  the  present  Year  the 
same  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  last  and  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Nathan  Davis  have  the  like  Sum,  to  be  paid  in 
like  manner  &c 
reconsidered 

Voted,  that  the  sum  of  One  hundred  &  forty  five  Pounds,  be 
paid  to  Mr.  John  Tileston  for  his  Salary  as  Master  of  the  North 
Writing  School  to  commence  the  1st.  of  March  last  and  to  be  paid 
him  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  —  And  the  said  Sum  was 
likewise  Granted  to  each  of  the  Other  Writing  Masters  &c.  in 
like  Manner  &c.  reconsidered 

Voted,  that  Mr.  John  Tileston  and  the  Other  Writing  Masters 
of  the  Town  Schools  who  have  families  be  allowed  for  House 
Rent  the  present  year  the  Sum  of  thirty  Pounds  each,  the  same 
to  be  paid  them  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  commence 
the  1st.  of  March  last  — 

[113.]     Adjourned  to  Tuesday  next  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Thursday  the  14th  Day  of  May  10  O'Clock  A:  M:  Met  Ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  for  the  Choice  of  Representatives  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  199 

Selectmen  Preside 

A  Letter  from  the  HonDle :  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr:  declining  an 
Acceptance  of  the  trust  of  a  Representative  —  was  read  — 

Moved  that  there  be  a  re-consideration  of  the  Vote  passed  the 
12  Ins*:  for  the  Choice  of  Seven  Representatives  —  And  the 
Question  being  accordingly  put  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  3'0  Clock  P :  M :  be  assigned  for  the 
Choice  of  four  Representatives  in  the  Room  of  those  Gentlemen 
chosen  who  have  declined  Serving  the  Trust  —  &  that  the  Poll  be 
closed  at  5  O 'Clock — 

Col0.  Dawes  then  took  the  Chair 

Moved  that  the  Town  now  reconsider  the  Vote  passed  the  12 
Ins*,  for  granting  Salaries  to  the  several  School  Masters,  and 
that  it  be  left  to  the  G-entelmen  Selectmen  to  Affix  Salaries  for 
the  Masters  &  Ushers  and  all  Other  Matters,  relative  to  the 
School  Masters  &  Ushers  of  the  Public  Schools  for  the  Time  to 
Come — After  debate  the  Question  being  Accordingly  put  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

Selectmen  Preside 

[114.]  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring 
in  their  Votes  for  four  Representatives  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  Sorted  &  Counted,  the  whole  number  was  found  to  be 
386  and  the  same  being  sorted  it  appeared  that  the  four  following 
Gentlemen  were  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz* 

Votes 

(Resigned)  Honble:  James  Bowdoin  Esq1'.   -     -     -     -     -  232 

Christopher  Gore  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  321 

Henry  Hill  Esqr.       -     -     -     -     -     -  215 

Dr.  William  Eustis 221 

Adjourned  to  ^  Past  6.  O'Clock 

5.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment 

Col0.  Dawes  in  the  Chair 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  prepare  an  Estimate  of  Ex- 
pences  &  again  read  —  whereupon  it  was  moved  that  the  Vote 
passed  on  Tuesday  last   "granting  Salaries   &c  to  the  School 


200  City  Document. 

Masters  and  that  this  and  other  Matters  relative  to  the  School 
Masters  be  left  to  the  Selectmen"  be  now  reconsidered  —  After 
debate  had  thereon  the  Question  was  accordingly  put  for  a  recon- 
sideration —  Passed  in  the  Negative 

Voted,  that  Peter  Boyer  Esqr.  be  Allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  and  Twenty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Treasurer 
the  present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1  March  last 

Voted,  that  William  Cooper  be  allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  &  Twenty  Pounds  for  his  services  as  Town  Clerk 
the  ensuing  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due  "  and  to  commence  the  first  of  March  Last 

[115.]  Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  publish  a  List  of  Salaries, 
paid  by  the  Town,  in  the  several  News  Papers 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Above  Vote  be  now  reconsidered  — 

Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Ten  thousand  three  hundred  &  Twenty 
Pounds  be  raised  by  a  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  and 
Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  to  defray  the  Expences 
of  the  Current  Year  — 

Adjourned  to  to  Morrow  10  O'Clock  A :  M 

May  15th.  — 10.  O'Clock  A:  M:  Met  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment — 

The  Selectmen  Preside 

Adjourned  to  11.  O'Clock,  then  to  come  to  the  Choice  of  a 
Representative  in  the  Room  of  Mr.  Bowdoin  who  has  resigned  — 
And  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen,  the  Poll  will  be  Closed  at 
12  0  Clock —  Mr.  Bowdoins  Letter  of  resignation  read  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Selectman  in  the  Room  of  John  Brown  Esq1,  lately 
deceased  —  And  the  Votes  being  brought  in  it  Appeared  that  — 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 
was  chosen  a  Selectman,  unanimously 

The  Selectmen  a  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Mr.  Samuel 
Daw,  that  a  Piece  of  the  Towns  Land  near  the  Common  might  be 
rented  to  him  —  Reported  Verbally  —  That  in  their  Opinion  it 
would  not  be  for  the  Interest  of  the  Town  to  grant  the  Petition  — 
And  that  the  Petitioner  have  leave  to  withdraw  sd  :  Petition  —  the 
Question  being  put  passed  in  the  Affirmative 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  201 

[116.]  David  Townsend  Junr.  chosen  a  Surveyor  of  Boards 
for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  12.  O'Clock  Noon 

Selectmen  preside 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  —  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Representative  in  the  room  of  the  Honble :  James 
Bowdoin  Esqr.  who  has  declined  the  Trust  —  And  the  Votes 
being  brought  in  and  counted,  the  whole  Number  was  found  to  be 
703  —  And  the  same  being  sorted  it  Appeared,  that 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr : 
was  chosen  by  a  Majority  of  Votes. 

Col0  :  Dawes  in  the  Chair 

Mr.  Philip  Jarvis 
Mr.  Joseph  Scott 
were  chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  Sum  of  Two  Thousand  Pounds  be 
Appropriated  out  of  the  present  Tax  for  the  Use  of  the  Alms- 
house —  and  that  there  be  a  Column  for  the  same,  in  the  Tax  Bills 
to  be  Issued  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  Thirty  Six  hundred  Pounds 
be  Appropriated  out  of  the  past  &  present  Tax  for  the  payment 
of  Interest  to  the  Creditors  of  the  Town  — 

A  Vote  of  Thanks  was  moved  &  carried  to  the  Committee  to 
prepare  an  Estimate  of  Expences  for  their  good  services  as  a 
Committee 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  next  the  20th  of  May  Ins1.  10' 
O'Clock.  A  :  M  — 

[117.]  Wednesday  the  20m  of  May  Ins* :  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 
met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

Joseph  Whittemore 
was  chosen,  a  Culler  of  Staves  for  the  ensuing  Year 

On  the  Report  of  the  Committee  to  Estimate  the  Sum  Neces- 
sary to  be  raised  for  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year  — 

Voted,  that  the  Article  in  said  Report  relative  to  the  removal 
of  Scholars  of  the  North  Grammar  School.  And  Mr.  Cheneys 
Scholars  to  North  Grammar  School  be  inserted  in  the  Warrant 
for  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting  to  be  called  — 


202  City  Document. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Col0.  Sargents, 
read  &  considered,  whereupon 

Voted,  that  on  Account  of  the  present  distressed  circumstances 
of  the  Petitioners  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed,  after  he  shall 
have  obtained  Judgement  upon  the  suit  now  Instituted  Against 
the  said  Sergeant,  upon  the  payment  of  the  Costs  of  the  same, 
and  the  Dividend  from  the  said  Parkers  Estate  to  suspend  taking 
Execution  on  said  Judgement  untill  the  further  Order  of  the 
Town  — 

The  Report  of  the  same  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Mr. 
George  Makepeace  was  also  read  and  considered  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  After  he  shall  have 
Obtained  Judgement  upon  the  suit  now  depending  against  the  said 
Makepeace,  upon  paying  of  the  Costs  of  the  same  also  the  [118.] 
dividend  from  the  said  Parkers  Estate  &  the  further  Sum  of  One 
hundred  &  fifty  Pounds,  towards  the  discharge  of  the  Judgement 
aforesaid  to  Suspend  taking  out  execution  on  said  Judgement 
until  the  further  Order  of  the  Town  — 

The  Report  of  the  said  Committee  on  Mr.  Bayleys  proposal, 
was  also  read  &  considered  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Assessors  call  upon  the  different  Collectors  in 
the  Month  of  February  in  each  Year  &  examine  the  Lists  com- 
mitted to  them  together,  with  their  Receipt  from  the  different 
Treasurers  &  Report  to  the  Town  an  accurate  statement  thereof 
at  their  Annual  Meeting  in  March  previous  to  the  Choice  of  Col- 
lectors for  the  Year  then  next  ensuing  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  Wreck  near  the 
North  Battery,  read  &  considered  whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  take  the  most  effectual 
measures,  that  the  Persons  who  Purchased  the  Wreck,  remove  the 
same  immediately  and  if  need  be  to  commence  Suits  at  Law  for 
said  purpose 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Committee  to  Revise  the  By  Laws 
of  the  Town  be  desired  to  make  Report  at  the  next  General 
Town  Meeting  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  Visit  the  Public 
Schools  the  ensuing  Year  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  Application  of  John 
May  Esqr :  that  a  Common  Shore  may  be  carried  from  Boston 
Neck  into  the  Bay  &  make   [119.]   enquiry  how  far  the  pro- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  203 

prietors  of  said  Neck  have  complied  with  the  terms  of  their  pur- 
chase &  Report  —  have  Attended  that  service  &  take  leave  to 
Report  — 

That  it  is  not  for  the  Intrest  of  the  Town,  or  the  Proprietors 
that  a  Common  Shore  should  be  made  as  Applied  for  —  The  said 
Proprietors  conceive  they  have  fulfilled  their  Contract  with  the 
Town  on  their  part,  so  far  as  the  Town  have  enabled  them  to  do  — 
Many  of  the  Trees  set  out  having  failed,  and  three  years  Allowed 
by  the  Contract  to  replace  them,  they  have  made  provision  for 
the  replacing  them  this  Season  —  The  Proprietors  did  not  give 
leave  for  the  breaking  up  the  Ground,  for  making  Brick  on  the 
Neck,  until  the  Selectmen  gave  their  consent ;  and  when  they 
found  it  disagreable  to  the  Inhabitants,  directed  the  Brickmakers 
to  desist ;  and  have  ordered  the  Ground  to  be  levelled  — 

With  regard  to  the  filling  up  &  Repairing  the  sides  of  the  Way, 
the  Proprietors  do  not  conceive  themselves,  held  by  the  Contract 
to  do  it,  solely  at  their  Expence,  &  are  willing  that  Indifferent 
Persons,  should  Judge  between  them  and  the  Town  concerning 
this  business  — 

The  Committee  on  hearing  the  Parties,  give  it  as  their  Opinion, 
in  order  to  end  the  Contest,  and  that  the  Ways  may  be  made  pass- 
able, that  there  be  Three,  or  Five  Persons,  mutually  chosen  by 
the  Selectmen  and  Proprietors,  heare  them  upon  the  Subject  and 
determine  what  shall  be  done  and  by  whom  as  soon  as  may  be  all 
which  is  Submitted 

Thomas  Dawes 

f  Order 

[120.]  The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read,  and  Debate 
had  thereon  —  The  Question  was  put  —  Whether  said  Report 
shall  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

Robert  Hodge 
Chosen  a  Culler  of  Hoops  &  Staves  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

On  the  Representation  of  the  Assessors  relative  to  the  Requi- 
sitions in  Form  of  Law  made  upon  them  by  the  State  Treasurer  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  prefer  a  Petition  to 
the  General  Court  Agreeable  to  the  said  Representation  — 

On  the  Petition  of  the  Assessors  that  an  Additional  Grant  may 
be  made  them  for  reasons  set  forth  in  said  Petition  — 

Voted,  that  one  shilling  ^  Day  be  Added  to  the  Grant  of  five 
Shillings  "^  Day  each  Assessor,  in  March  last  making  in  the 
whole  Six  shillings  °$  Day  for  their  services  in  said  Office,  being 
the  same  sum  they  had  last  Year 


204  City  Document. 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  Things  which  shall  rernaine  unfin- 
ished at  this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town 
Meeting  that  shall  be  called  — 

Voted,  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  &  hereby  are  given  to 
the  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr :  Moderator  for  his  good  services 
in  dispatching  the  Business  of  the  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[121.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  Saturday  the  4th  Day 
of  July  A.  D.  1789     -     -     9  0ClockA:M.     -     - 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     ...     read 

William  Cooper.  — 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  the  last  Year  to  make  choise  of  a 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary  of  Independ- 
ence. 
Reported, 

That  they  had  made  choice  of  the  Revd.  Dr.  Stillman 
for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

On  a  Motion  Voted  that  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Stone 
Chapel  11.  oClock  A.  M.  leave  having  been  obtained  therefor  — 

Voted,  that  the  Gentleman  Selectmen  acquaint  Dr.  Stillman. 
with  this  Vote 

The  Meeting  was  then  adjourned  to  the  Stone  Chapel  11. 
O  Clock  A  M. 

AN    ORATION 

to  commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was  de- 
livered by  the  Revd.  Dr.  Stillman  at  the  Stone  Chapel  to  a  large 
and  crowded  Assembly 

Voted,  —  that  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  a 
Committee  to  wait  on  the  Revd.  [122.]  Dr.  Stillman  and  in  the 
Name  of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the  spirited  &  elegant  Ora- 
tion this  Day  delivered  by  him  at  the  request  of  the  Town  upon 
the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  which  according  to  the  Institution  of  the  Town  he 
considered  the  feelings  manners  and  principles  which  led  to  that 
great  National  Event,  And  to  request  a  Copy  thereof  for  the 
Press.  * 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  205 

On  a  Motion  Voted,  that  the  Gentleman  the  Selectmen  be  and 
hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  apply  to  some  one  learned 
&  able  Gentleman  to  Deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th.  of  July  A.  D. 
1789,  that  Day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the 
United  States  of  America  wherein  the  Orator  is  to  consider  the 
feelings,  manners  &  principles,  which  led  to  this  great  National 
Event ;  as  well  as  the  important  &  happy  effects  whether  general 
or  domestic  which  have  already  and  will  forever  continue  to  flow 
from  that  Auspicious  Epoch. 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved.  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  23  Day  of 
September  AD  178$.  10  O  Clock  before  noon.  — 

Warrant  for  calling  Meeting     -     -     -     read. 

[123.]  Honble:  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant.  Viz*. 
"  To  consider  the  proposals  of  a  large  number  of  the  respectable 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  for  the  Instruction  of  the  Youth  of 
both  Sexes,  and  for  reforming  the  present  System  of  public 
Education  -  -  -  -  read  as  were  also  the  Proposals  laid 
before  the  Town.  — 
whereupon  moved  & 

Voted,  that  said  Proposals    be    considered 
paragraph  by  paragraph .  — 

The  first  paragraph  was  accordingly  read  &  considered  ;  and 
the  same  accepted  unanimously  the  2d  paragraph  read  &  accepted 
3d  paragraph  read  &  accepted  4th  paragraph  read  &  accepted  5th 
paragraph  read  &  considered  &  Voted  that  the  whole  be  taken 
out  of  the  proposals.  6th  paragraph  read  and  Voted  that  the  same 
be  passed  over.  — 

7th.  paragraph  -  -  read,  —  and  accepted.  — 

It  was  then  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  aforegoing  propositions 
be  referred  to  a  Committee  of  Twelve  persons  to  be  chosen  out  of 
each  Ward. 

Ward 

Voted,  that  Mr.  Alexander  Hill 1 

William  Thompson  Esq1'     -     -     -  2 

Revd.  Dr.  Elliot  ------  3 

Deacon  Sharp 4 

Dr.  William  Eustis 5 

Deacon  Boardman 6 


206  City  Document. 

D1'.  Simeon  Howard       -     -     -     -       7 
Dr.  Aaron  Dexter 8 

His  Honor  Sam1.  Adams  Esqr.      -     -     -       9 
Honble:  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr.       -     -     10 

[134.]  Revd.  John  Clark 11 

Revd.  Sam1.  West 12 

be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  and  to  consider  the 
subject  of  Education  at  large  &  Report  at  the  Adjournment  -  -  - 

The  other  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  application 
shall  be  made  to  the  General  Court  for  alterations  to  be  made  in 
an  Act  determining  what  transactions  shall  be  Necessary  to  con- 
stitute the  Settlement  of  a  Citizen  in  any  particular  Town  -  -  - 
read  whereupon. 

Voted,  that  said  Article  be  referred  for  consideration  to  a  Com- 
mittee, to  Report  at  the  Adjournment 

Voted  that  the 

G-entlemen  the  Selectmen  be  a  Com- 
mittee for  the  purpose  aforesaid 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  the  15.  Day  of  October  next  3. 
O  Clock  P.  M.— 

Thursday  the  15.  Day  of  October  1789.  3  O  Clock  P.  M.  Met 
according  to  Adjournment. 

The  Selectmen,  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  Reported  the 
draught  of  a  Petition  to  the  General  Court  for  alterations  in  an 
Act  determining  what  transactions  shall  be  necessary  to  consti- 
tute the  settlement  of  a  Citizen  in  any  particular  Town  and  the 
same  having  been  read  &  Approved  of  by  the  Town.  It  was 
moved  & 

Voted,  that  the  [135.]  Gentleman  the  Selectmen  be 
directed  to  sign  the  Petition  in  behalf  of  the  Town,  and  to  pre- 
sent the  same  to  the  General  Court,  at  their  next  Session 

The  Committee  relative  to  the  Schools. — Reported,  and  the 
same  having  been  read  -  -  It  was  Moved  &  Voted,  that  the 
Report  be  considered,  paragraph  by  paragraph.     ... 

1st.  paragraph  read.  — when  it  was  moved  to  refer  the  consid- 
eration of  the  Report  to  March  Meeting  And  the  Question  being 
put,  passed  in  the  Negative  And  a  Motion  was  then  made  to 
refer  the  consideration  for  a  Month,  which  motion  was  also 
Negatived.  — 

It  was  then  moved  &  Voted  to  Adjourn  this  Meeting,  to  the 
next  Morning-  10.  O  Clock.  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  207 

Friday  the  16.  of  October.  10  O'Clock  A.  M.  Town  met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  a  new  arangement  of 
the  Schools,  was  again  read,  and  then  considered  by  paragraphs 
-  -  -  It  was  moved  that  the  debate  subside,  Upon  information 
given  the  Town  that  the  President  of  the  United  States  was  like 
soon  to  Honor  this  Metropolis  with  a  Visit.  —  It  was  moved  & 
Voted,  that  a.  Committee  be  now  chosen,  to  consider  &  Report 
what  they  shall  Judge  to  be  the  best  to  express  the  Respects  of 
the  Town  to  President  Washington.  — 

Voted  that 

The  Honble .  Caleb  Davis  Esq1'. 

William  Eustis  Esq1'. 
Honble .  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  — 

[126.]     The  above  Committee  Reported  —  Viz*. 

That  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  wait  on  the  President  of  the 
United  States  on  his  arrival,  to  present  to  him  the  respects  of  the 
Town  to  express  the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  the  great  & 
illustrious  services  he  has  rendered  this  Country.  And  the  heart 
felt  satisfaction  which  the  Citizens  have  in  the  Honor  of  his 
Visit.  — 

The  Committee  submit  to  the  consideration  of  the  Town  the 
propriety  of  evidencing  their  Affection  &  respect  to  the  President 
by  any  other  provision  which  they  shall  Judge  proper  — 

The  first  part  of  this  Report  having  been  considered,  It  was 
moved  & 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  prepare  a  Congratu- 
latory Address  to  ye.  President  of  the  United  States  to  be  laid 
before  the  Town ,  for  their  consideration,  at  the  Adjournment  of 
this  Meeting. 

Voted,  that  Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
William  Eustis  Esqr. 
Nath1.  Appleton 
Honble .  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  Moderator 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O  Clock  P.  M.  — 

3  O  Clock  P.  M.  Town  met.  — 


208  City  Document. 

The  2d  part  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  relative  to  any 
further  way  of  expressing  their  respect  and  Affection  for  Presi- 
dent Washington  was  read.  —  and  after  some  consideration  -  - 
It  was  moved  and  [137.]  Voted,  that  the  debate  thereon,  shall 
subside 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  for  reforming  the  present  system 
of  public  education  in  Boston  &  making  a  new  arrangment  of  the 
Schools  and  again  considered  by  paragraphs,  and  amended  &  the 
Question  was  then  put  Whether  the  Report  as  thus  amended  be 

accepted, passed  in  the  Affirmative  about    140 

present. 

A  Motion  made  was  adopted  by  the  Town  Viz*.  That  when 
this  Meeting  is  adjourned  it  shall  be  to  Tuesday  next  10.  O  Clock 
A.  M.  being  the  20.  Instant,  in  order  to  choose  the  Committee  of 
Twelve  who  are  to  be  Join'd  with  the  Selectmen  to  carry  the  new 
System  of  education  which  has  been  adopted  by  the  Town  into 
operation  -  -  -  and  that  the  Inhabitants  be  notified  hereof 
in  the  public  Prints.  — 

The  Report  of  the  above  Committee  as  laid  before  the  Town 
by  their  Chairman  William  Thompson  Esqr.  and  as  amended  & 
accepted  in  Town  Meeting  is  as  follows  Viz*. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  propositions  for  re- 
forming the  pi'esent  System  of  public  Education  in  Boston,  Re- 
port &  offer  the  following  Plan  &  Arrangment     -     -     Viz*. 

Propositions  for  reforming  the  present  System  of  public  Edu- 
cation in  Boston. 

Is*.  That  that  there  be  one  School  in  which  the  rudiments  of 
the  latin  &  greek  languages  shall  be  taught,  and  Scholars  fully 
qualified  for  the  Universities.  That  all  Candidates  for  admission 
into  this  School,  shall  be  at  least  ten  years  of  Age  [138.]  having 
been  previously  well  instructed  in  English  Grammar,  that  they 
shall  continue  it  not  longer  than  four  years,  and  that  they  have 
liberty  to  attend  the  public  Writing  Schools  at  such  hours  as  the 
Visiting  Committee  shall  direct.  — 

2d  Second  That  there  be  one  Writing  School  at  the  South  part 
of  the  Town,  one  at  the  centre  and  one  at  the  North  part ;  that 
in  those  Schools  the  Children  of  both  Sexes  be  taught  writing  & 
also  arithmetic  in  the  various  branches  usually  taught  in  the  Town 
Schools,  including  vulgar  &  decimal  fractions  — 

3d.  Third,  That  there  be  one  Reading  School  at  the  South  part 
of  the  Town,  one  at  the  Centre,  one  at  the  North  part,  that  in 
these   Schools  the  Children  of  both  Sexes,   be  taught  to   spell 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  209 

* 
accent  and  read  both  prose  &  verse,  and  also  be  instructed  in 
English  Grammar  &  Composition.  — 

4.  Fourth  -  -  That  the  Children  of  both  Sexes  be  admitted 
into  the  reading  &  writing  Schools  at  the  age  of  Seven  Years, 
having  previously  received  the  Instructions  usual  at  Womens 
School  that  they  be  allowed  to  continue  in  the  reading  &  writing 
Schools  until  the  Age  of  fourteen,  the  Boys  attending  the  Year 
round  ;  the  Girls  from  the  20th.  of  April  to  the  20th.  of  October 
following  —  that  they  attend  these  Schools  alternately  at  such 
times  &  subject  to  such  changes  as  the  Visiting  Committee  in 
consultation  with  the  Masters,  shall  approve.  — 

5.  Fifth.  That  the  Committee  be  annually  chosen  by  ballot  to 
consist  of  twelve  in  addition  to  the  Selectmen,  whose  business  it 
shall  be  to  Visit  [129.]  the  Schools  once  in  every  Quarter,  and 
as  much  oftener  as  they  shall  Judge  proper  with  three  of  their 
number  at  least,  to  consult  together  in  order  to  devise  the  best 
Methods  for  the  Instruction  &  Government  of  the  Schools  and  to 
communicate  the  result  of  their  determinations  to  the  Masters ; 
to  determine  at  what  hours  the  Schools  shall  begin,  and  to  appoint 
play  Days  in  their  Visitations,  to  enquire  into  the  particular  regu- 
lations of  the  Schools  both  in  regard  to  Instruction  &  Discipline, 
and  give  such  advice  to  the  Masters  as  they  shall  think  proper,  to 
examine  the  Scholars  in  the  particular  branches  which  they  are 
taught,  and  by  all  proper  Methods  to  excite  in  them  a  laudable 
ambition  to  excel  in  a  virtuous,  amiable  deportment  and  in  every 
branch  of  useful  knowledge.  — 

The  Committee  recommend  the  following  Arrangment  of  the 
Schools,  to  the  acceptance  of  the  Town     ...     -     Viz*. 

1st.  That  the  School  House  in  pleasant  Street  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Ticknor,  be  the  South  Reading  School  until  a  further  provi- 
sion be  made  by  a  new  Building.  — 

2d.  That  the  School  House  in  West  Street  now  occupied  by  Mr. 

Vinal,  be  the  South  Writing  School. 

3d.  That  a  Building  be  hired  for  a  reading  School  near  the  Centre 
of  the  Town.  — 

4th.  That  the  School  House  in  School  Street  now  occupied  by  Mr. 
Hunt  be  the  School  for  Instruction  in  the  Latin  &  Greek  Lan- 
guages. — - 

5th.  That  the  School  House  in  Tremont  Street  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Carter,  be  the  Central  Writing  School. 

6th.  That  the  Building  in  Middle  Street  [130.]  now  occupied 
by  Mr.  Cheney,  be  retained  for  the  North  Writing  School.  — 


210  City  Document. 

7th.  That  the  School  House  in  Love  Street  in  which  Mr.  Tileston 
now  teaches,  be  continued  for  the  North  Writing  School,  and 
that  the  North  Latin  School  House  nearly  contiguous  be  annexed 
to  it  in  order  to  accomodate  Writing  Scholars,  should  their  num- 
ber be  greater  than  the  former  House  will  conveniently  contain. — 

The  Committee  further  inform  the  Town  that  the  Rent  of  a 
Building  for  a  Reading  School  in  the  Centre  of  the  Town  and  the 
charge  of  making  some  small  alterations  in  the  North  Writing 
School  house,  will  be  the  only  extra  expence  necessarily  incurred 
by  this  Plan  &  Arrangement,  whilst  the  great  &  obvious  advan- 
tages which  may  be  derived  from  them  to  the  Youth  in  general, 
and  to  the  Female  Sex  in  particular  would  abundantly  compen- 
sate &  Justify  a  far  greater  expence.  — 

The  meeting  stands  Adjourned  to  Tuesday  the  20th.  of  Octo- 
ber Ins*.  10.  O  Clock  A.  M. 

Tuesday  the  20.  October  10.  O  Clock.  A.  M.  Met  according  to 
Adjournment. 

Moved  &  Voted,  That  a  Committee  be  now  appointed  to  Join 
the  Selectmen  in  devising  the  most  suitable  ways  for  the  Inhabi- 
tants of  this  Town  to  express  their  affection  &  respect  to  Presi- 
dent Washington,  and  the  sense  they  have  of  the  honor  done 
them  by  his  Visit  to  this  Metropolis,  and  that  this  Committee 
consist  of  Thirteen  Persons.  — 

[131.]  The  following  Gentleman  were  accordingly  chosen 
Viz*. 

The  Honble .  James  Sullivan  (excused) 
Paul  Revere  Esqr. 
Honble .  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
HonWe .  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 
Joseph  Barrell  Esqr. 
William  Tuder  Esqr. 
William  Eustis  Esqr. 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Cap*.  Mungo  Mackay 
Mr.  Joseph  Clark 
Mr.  Elisha  Sigorney 
Mr.  James  Prince 
Mr.  Benjamin  Russell 

Voted,  that  the  above  Committee  be  desired  to  procure  Sub- 
scriptions to  defray  the  expence  that  may  be  incurred  —  also. 

Voted,  that  the  Magistrates  and  Peace  Officers  of  the  Town  be 
requested,  to  attend  at  the  entry  of  the  President,  in  order  to 
preserve  Peace  &  prevent  disorders.  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1789.  211 

The  Committee  to  prepare  an  Address  to  be  presented  the 
President  of  the  United  States  by  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen 
Reported  a  Draught  which  being  read  &  considered  was  accepted 
by  the  Town,  but  on  Motion  was  recommitted  that  such  gram- 
matical alterations,  might  be  made  as  the  Committee  might  Judge 
proper.  — 

On  Motion  Voted  that  the 

Honble .  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  the  Moderator  of  the 
Meeting  be  added  to  said  Committee 

[132.]  A  Vote  having  passed  before  the  last  Adjournment 
that  at  this  Meeting  there  should  be  chosen  by  ballot  a  Committee 
of  twelve  who  in  addition  to  the  Selectmen  are  to  carry  the  new 
System  of  Education  which  has  been  adopted  by  the  Town  into 
operation — the  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  &  bring  in 
their  Votes  accordingly,  and  the  same  having  been  brought  in 
and  sorted,  it  appeared  that  only  eleven  Persons  were  chosen 
Viztf. 

Honble .  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1. 

Revd.  Samuel  West 

Revd.  Dr.  Lothrop 

Revd.  James  Freeman 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 

Dr.  Thomas  Welch 

Dr.  Nath1.  W.  Appleton 

Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esqr. 

Dr.  Aaron  Dexter  Esqr. 

Christopher  Core  Esq. 

George  B.  Minot  Esqr. 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  one  Person  wanted  to  complete  the  number  of 
said  Committee  and  the  same  having  been  brought  in  and  sorted 
it  appeared  that 

William  Tuder  Esqr. 
was  chosen.  —  ,      . 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved.  — 

[133.]  The  following  Address  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  of 
America  was  agreeable  to  a  Vote  of  the  Town  at  their  late  Meet- 
ing, this  Day  presented  him  by  the  Selectmen.  — Viz*. 

Sir 

We  beg  leave  to  express  our  Happiness  in  the  Honor  you  confer 
upon  us  by  a  Visit  to  this  Capital. 

We  are  happy  in  the  opportunity  of  again  making  our  personal 
Acknowledgements  to  a  Character,  to  which,  on  every  Principle, 


212  City  Document. 

we  are  so  deeply  indebted,  Every  Motive  of  Esteem,  Duty  & 
Affection  have  conspired  to  form  in  our  Minds  the  strongest 
Attachment  that  the  freest  People  can  feel  to  the  most  deserving 
Citizen.  — 

As  Men  we  have  long  since  considered  you  under  God  as  the 
great  &  glorious  Avenger  of  the  violated  Eights  of  Humanity  — 
As  Citizens  we  have  observed  with  peculiar  Satisfaction,  that  you 
have  invariably  respected  those  Liberties  which  you  have  so  suc- 
cessfully defended.  -  -  -  And  as  Inhabitants  of  a  great 
Commercial  Town  we  attribute  the  Security  we  enjoy  to  the 
singular  Merit  &  Success  of  those  Measures  in  the  Progress  of 
the  War,  which  You  had  the  Honor  to  conduct.  — 

It  cannot  but  afford  you  the  highest  Pleasure,  when  you  com- 
pare our  present  situation  with  the  signal  Distresses  to  which  we 
were  exposed  during  the  Period  in  which  this  Town  was  in  the 
Possession  of  an  exasperated  Enemy.  Indignant  at  the  multi- 
plied Restraints  of  hostile  Domination,  we  [134.]  sought  an 
Asylum  among  our  Friends  &  Connections  in  the  Country,  and 
cheerfully  abandoned  our  Prosperity  and  Possessions  in  the  Com- 
mon Cause  of  America.  That  we  were  so  soon  happily  reinstated, 
may. be  justly  imputed  to  the  Wisdom  of  those  Arrangements, 
which  compelled  our  Invaders,  in  their  Retreat,  to  adopt  a  less 
destructive  Policy  than  that  which  on  other  Occasions  they  so 
wantonly  practised ;  In  every  trying  Viscissitude  we  have  re- 
marked the  conspicuous  and  unaffected  Piety  of  your  Heart  & 
the  Wisdom  &  Moderation  of  your  Councils. — 

We  have  seen  you  relinquish  the  Ease  &  Independence  of 
private  Fortune  to  lead  in  the  untried  Dangers  of  a  War  at  the 
Risk  of  your  Life  &  Reputation.  With  pleasure  we  have  viewed 
you  retiring  in  Victory  &  exhibiting  a  new  Example  of  Patriotic 
Virtue  to  an  admiring  World  :  And  we  now  feel  a  still  higher 
Satisfaction,  at  your  having  once  more  Sacrificed  the  Sweets  of 
Domestic  Retirement  in  Obedience  to  the  United  Voice  of  your 
Countrymen.  — 

These,  Sir,  are  the  Sentiments  &  Reflections  which  naturally 
occur  on  an  attentive  Consideration  of  your  past  Conduct.  To 
the  future  we  look  for  those  Virtues  which  adorn  the  Man  and 
mark  the  wise  and  accomplished  Legislator  We  anticipate  from 
your  Discernment  the  happy  Union  of  Liberty  &  Law,  Lenity  & 
Vigor,  Mercy  &  Justice  The  enlightened  Policy  of  a  Mind  calm 
amidst  the  Influence  of  Power  and  uncorrupted  by  the  fascinat- 
ing Allurements  of  Avarice  or  Ambition.  — 

With  these  Impressions  the  Preservation  of  [135.]  your  Life 
through  the  varied  Scenes  in  which  you  have  been  engaged  De- 
mands our  grateful  Acknowledgements  to  the  Beneficent  Disposer 
of  Human  Events. 

It  is  one  of  the  first  Wishes  of  our  Hearts  that  you  may  be  as 
happy  in  your  present  elevated  Station,  as  you  have  been  Dis- 
tinguished in  your  Military  Character,  and  it  is  our  fervent 
Prayer  to  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  Universe  that  the  Invisible 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  213 

Hand  which  led  the  Citizens  of  America  through  the  Dangers  & 
Calamities  of  War,  may  still  guard  &  protect  you  as  an  Orna- 
ment to  Human  Nature  and  a  Blessing  to  your  Country.  — 

The  following  is    the  Reply  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States  to  the  aforegoing  Addi'ess.     Viz*. 
To  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston 
Gentlemen 

The  obligations  which  your  goodness  has  imposed 
upon  me,  demand  my  grateful  and  receive  my  sincere  acknowl- 
edgements —  Your  esteem  does  me  honor,  and  your  Affection 
communicates  the  truest  pleasure  —  by  endeavoring  to  deserve, 
I  will  indulge  the  hope  of  retaining  them.  — 

Over-rating  my  services,  you  have  ascribed  consequences  to 
them,  in  which  it  would  be  injustice  to  deny  a  participation  to  the 
virtue  and  firmness  of  my  worthy  fellow  Citizens  of  this  respect- 
able Town  and  Commonwealth.     - 

If  the  exercise  of  my  military  commission  has  contributed  to 
vindicate  the  rights  of  humanity,  and  to  secure  the  freedom  & 
happiness  of  my  Country,  the  purpose  for  which  it  was  assumed 
has  been  completed  [136.]  and  I  am  amply  rewarded  -  -  - 
If  in  the  prosecution  of  my  civil  duties,  I  shall  be  so  fortunate  as 
to  meet  the  wishes  of  my  Fellow  Citizens,  and  to  promote  the 
advantage  of  our  common  Interests,  I  shall  not  regret  the  Sacri- 
fices, which  you  are  pleased  to  mention  in  terms  so  obliging. 

The  numerous  sensations  of  heartfelt  satisfaction  which  a  re- 
view of  past  scenes  affords  to  my  mind,  in  a  comparison  of  the 
present  happy  hour,  are  far  beyond  my  powers  of  utterance  to 
express. 

I  rejoice  with  you,  my  fellow  citizens  in  every  circumstance 
that  declares  your  prosperity  -  -  and  I  do  so,  most  cordially, 
because  you  have  well  deserved  to  be  happy. 

Your  love  of  liberty,  your  respect  for  the  laws,  your  habits  of 
industry,  and  your  practice  of  the  moral  &  religious  obligations 
are  the  strongest  claims  to  national  and  individual  happiness 
-     -     and  they  will  I  trust,  be  firmly  &  lastingly  established. 

Your  wishes  for  my  personal  felicity  impress  a  deep  &  affec- 
tionate gratitude  -  -  -  And  your  prayer  to  the  Almighty  of 
the  Universe  in  my  behalf  calls  forth  my  fervent  supplication  to 
that  gracious  and  beneficent  Being,  for  every  blessing  on  your 
temporal  pursuits,  and  for  the  perfection  of  your  happiness  here- 
after. — 

Gr°.  Washington 
Boston,  October  27ttl.  1789. 

[137.]  Att  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned  in  public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the 
10th.  Day  of  February  A.  D.  1790.  10.  OClock.  —  Forenoon 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meetino;     -     -     read. 


214  City  Document. 

The  Precept  for  the  choice  of  a  Representative  in  the  room  of 
Christopher  Gore  Esq1',  who  has  resigned  -  -  -  also  read 
-     -     whereupon. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  on  account  of  the  severity  of  the  season, 
this  Meeting  was  adjourned  to  meet  immediately  at  the  County 
Court  House,  where  Stoves  are  erected. — 

Met  at  the  County  Court  House  according  to  Adjournment. 

Moved  &  Voted,  that  the  sense  Of  the  Town  be  taken  with 
respect  to  the  choise  of  a  Representative  in  the  room  of  Chris- 
topher Gore  Esqr.  agreeable  to  the  precept  received  for  that 
purpose  And  the  Question  accordingly  put  it  passed  in  the  Nega- 
tive. — 

The  Town  having  determined  not  to  choose  a  Representative 
in  the  Room  of  Christopher  Gore  Esqr.  who  has  resigned.  — 

It  was  Voted,  that  a  Moderator  he  now  chosen  by  a  Hand 
Vote  to  preside  at  the  Meeting  for  transacting  the  other  matters 
mentioned  in  the  Warrant.  — 

HonWe.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote.  — 

[138.]  A  Letter  from  Christopher  Gore  Esqr.  to  the  Inhabi- 
tants giving  his  reasons  for  having  resigned  his  Seat  as  one  of 
our  Representatives  in  the  General  Court  since  his  appointment 
to  the  Office  of  Attorney  to  the  United  States  —  was  read  where- 
upon 

Moved  &  Voted,  unanimously  that  the  Thanks  of  this  Town 
be  and  hereby  are  given  to  Christopher  Gore  Esqr.  for  his  services 
as  one  of  the  Representatives  of  the  Town  in  General  Court.  — 

The  Petition  of  a  number  of  the  Inhabitants  relative  to  the 
weighing  of  Hay  -  -  read.  whereupon  Voted,  that  any 
further  Consideration  of  this  matter  be  referred  over  to  March 
Meeting. 

The  Petition  for  an  Application  to  the  General  Court  for  a 
Lottery  to  defray  the  Charges  of  paving  Purchase  Street  &  Bat- 
tery March,  was  read  —  whereupon  moved  & 

Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  now  appointed  to  prepare  a  Peti- 
tion to  be  presented  in  behalf  of  the  Town,  to  the  General  Court 
for  their  being  permitted  to  raise  by  Lotteries  a  sum  not  exceed- 
ing £3000.  for  paving  and  repairing  the  Streets  of  Boston. 

Voted  that  the 

Gentleman  Selectmen 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  215 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Mr.  Wheelers  request 
for  building  on  the  Towns  Land  was  read,  and  on  Motion  re- 
ferred to 

The  Gentlemen  Selectmen 
for  them  to  act  thereon,  as  they  shall  Judge  best. 

[139.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  — 
' '  To  consider  on  the  expediency  of  Instructing  our  Representatives 
in  the  General  Court  for  the  repeal  of  the  present  Excise  Act " 
read  —  whereupon  Moved  &  Voted,  that  a  Committee  be  appointed 
to  take  this  matter  into  consideration,  &  Report  as  soon  as  may 
be  also 

Voted,  that 

The  Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  (Moderator) 
HonWe .  James  Sullivan  Esq1'. 
Honble .  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
John  Codman  Esqr. 
Mr.  Henry  Prentice 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Erecting  a  new  School 
House     -     -     was  read  whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  empowered  and  directed,  to  Erect 
a  new  School  House  at  the  Southerly  part  of  the  Town,  for  a 
reading  School,  agreeable  to  the  new  System  of  Education 
adopted  by  the  Town,  and  on  such  a  spot  as  they  shall  Judge 
proper.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  North  Latin  School 
-     -     read, 
whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  empowered  &  directed 
to  make  such  repairs  &  alterations  in  the  North  School  House  as 
they  shall  think  best. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  explaining  the  Com- 
mission given  to  the  School  Committtee  on  the  15th.  of  October 
last  being  read  —  after  debate.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  of  twelve  appointed  in  October  last 
to  manage  in  concert  [140.]  with  the  Selectmen  the  affairs  & 
government  of  the  Schools,  be  authorised  with  the  Selectmen  in 
future  to  exercise  all  the  powers  relating  to  the  Schools  &  School 
Masters,  which  the  Selectmen  or  such  Committees  are  authorised 
by  the  Laws  of  this  State  or  the  Votes  of  this  Town  to  exercise, 
any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  notwithstanding.  — 

Adjourned  to  4.  O  Clock.  P.  M. 

3  O  Clock  P.  M.  Met  according  to  Adjournment 


216  City  Document. 

On  Motion,  Voted,  that  the  two  aforegoing  Votes  authorising 
&  empowering  the  Selectmen  relative  to  building  a  new  School 
house  at  the  Southerly  part  of  the  Town  &  altering  &  repairing 
the  North  School  houses,  be  so  far  reconsidered,  as  to  Assign 
the  same  duty  to  the  School  Committee  instead  of  the  Selectmen. 

The  Town  took  into  consideration  the  Article  in  the  Warrant 
respecting  the  expediency  of  Instructing  their  Representatives  in 
the  General  Court  &  endeavor  an  Repeal  of  the  present  Excise 
Law,  and  it  appearing  to  the  Town  impracticable  to  enforce  the 
present,  [law]  or  to  raise  a  Revenue  in  that  way  without  injuring 
the  Commerce  of  the  State,  lessening  the  respectability  of  the 
Groverment  and  corrupting  the  morals  of  the  People,  while  other 
States  in  the  Union  have  no  such  Law  existing  -  -  -  Therefore 

Voted,  that  the  Representatives  of  this  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  Instructed  to  use  their  utmost  influence  to  effect  a  Repeal  of 
the  present  Excise  Act  and  to  prevent  any  new  ones  taking  place 

Voted,  that  all  Matters  &  things  which  remain  unfinished  at 
this  Meeting  be  referred  over  to  March  Meeting  then  to  be  acted 
upon 

[141.]  Then  the  Meeting  was 

dissolved.  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  8  Day  of  ( 
March  Anno  Domini  1790  10.  O  Clock  before  noon.      -     -     -     - 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Dr.  Lothrop 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting  were  accordingly  — 
read  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  &  sorted  it  appeared  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esq1,  (declin'd) 
was  chosen.  — 

Col0.  Dawes  &  Col0.  Crafts  having  been  chosen  Moderator  & 
declining  for  reasons  given  by  each.  — 

[142.]  Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote. 

A  Letter  from  Majr.  William  Thompson  to  the  Selectmen  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  217 

Boston,  inclosing  the  Copy  of  a  hand  bill  which  had  on  the  Satur- 
day preceeding  been  dispersed  in  this  Town  containing-his  offer 
to  serve  in  the  Office  of  Town  Clerk  for  one  half  the  Salary 
granted  the  last  Year  to  the  present  Clerk  &  requesting  that  they 
may  be  read  to  the  Inhabitants,  previous  to  the  Votes  being 
given  in  for  a  Town  Clerk  ...  were  accordingly  distinctly 
read  by  the  Town  Clerk  -  -  -  -  a  short  pause  followed 
The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  by  the  Selectmen  to  with- 
draw, and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  a  Town  Clerk,  and  the  same 
having  been  brought  in  and  sorted,  it  appeared  that  the  whole 
number  was  616.  and  that 

William  Cooper 
having  512  of  said  Votes,  was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year 
ensuing  &  took  the  Oath  of  Office  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
his  Duty  -     as  also  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  required  by  Law 

-  -  -  which  Oaths  were  administered  to  him  by  Thomas 
Crafts   Esqr.— 

The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  chose  Nine  Select- 
men -  -  -  the  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw 
and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  that  number  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  sorted  it  appeared  that  the  following  G-entlemen  Viz*. 

John  Scollay  Esqr. 
[143.]  Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'. 
Cap1.  Edward  Tyler  (declined) 
John  Andrews  Esq1".      -     -     d°. 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
Deacon  "William  Boardman 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever 
Jabez  Hatch  Esq' . 
were  chose  Selectmen  for  the  Year  ensuing,  and  had  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  administered  to  them  by  the  Town  Clerk.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  &  sorted  it  appeared  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 
Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 
John  White  Esqr. 
Edward  Procter  Esqr. 
John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr. 
Mr.  Samuel  Parkman 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
Henry  Hill  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Codman  Junr. 
Mr.  William  Smith 
Mr.  William  Phillips  Junr. 
were  chose  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing.  — 


218  City  Document. 

Votes  for  a  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk  brought  in 
&  counted  by  the  Moderator  &  [144.]  Town  Clerk,  when  it 
appeared  that  the  whole  number  was  three  hundred  &  five, 
and  that  they  were  all  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esq1',  a  discreet 
suitable  Person,  being  a  Freeholder,  and  a  Resident  in  the  same 
County.     -     -     - 

On  Motion 

Voted,  that  Dr.  Charles  Jarvis  (excused) 
Nathaniel  Appleton  Esqr. 
Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 
Amasa  Davis  Esq1'. 
Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  &  Report  what  is  proper  to  be  done 
respecting  the  Poor  in  the  Alms  House 

Adjourned  to  3  O  Clock.  P.  M. 

3  O  Clock  P.  M.     Town  met  again.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Sixteen  Fire-wards  and  the  same  having  been  brought 
in  &  sorted  it  appeared  that 

William  Cooper  (excused) 
Edward  Procter  Esq1',  (declined) 
Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esq1'. 
Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 
Mr.  John  Lowell  (declined) 
John  Winthrop  Esqr. 
Thomas  Melville  Esqr 
Jabez  Hatch  Esq1. 
Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 
Jacob  Rhodes 
[145.]  Mr.  Joseph  Clark 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
Honble.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Ecles 
John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esq. 
were  chose  Fire-wards  for  the  Year  ensuing.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*. 
"  To  choose  a  School  Committee  —  was  read  &  after  some  debate 
it  was  moved  &  Voted,  That  in  addition  to  the  Selectmen  Twelve 
Persons  should  now  be  chosen  &  the  following  Gentlemen,  were 
accordingly  chose  by  Ballot  Viz*. 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Revd.  Samuel  West 

Revd.  Dr.  Lothrop 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  219 

Revd.  James  Freeman 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esq1'. 

Dr.  Thomas  Welch 

Dr.  Nath1.  W.  Appleton 

Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esq1. 

Aaron  Dexter  Esqr. 

Christopher  Gore  Esq1'. 

George  R.  Minot  Esqr. 

William  Tuder  Esqr. 
Also  Voted 

That  the  aforegoing  Committee  who  conjunctly  are  to 
be  termed  the  School  Committee  be  and  hereby  are  directed  to 
carry  the  new  System  of  Education  which  has  been  adopted  by 
the  Town  [146.]  into  operation  -  -  and  said  Committee  are 
also  authorized  &  impowered,  conjunctly  to  manage  and  regulate 
the  affairs  &  government  of  the  Schools,  and  in  future  to  exer- 
cise all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  Schools  &  School-masters, 
which  the  Selectmen  or  such  Committees,  are  authorized  by  the 
Laws  of  this  Commonwealth  on  the  Votes  of  this  Town  to  exer- 
cise, any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  notwithstanding. — 

Peter  Boyer  Esq1'. 
was  chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  who  took  the 
Oath  of  Office  and  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  which  were  administered 
to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk. 

On  motion  Voted,  that  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market,  that 
may  be  chosen,  shall  give  Bond  to  the  Selectmen,  and  be  sworn 
to  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  Trust,  &  to  account  &  settle  with 
the  Selectmen  once  a  Week.     -     -     -     -     also 

Voted,  that  the  pay  of  the  Person  that  shall  be  chosen  Clerk  of 
Faneuil  Hall  Market  be  left  to  the  Selectmen.  — 

On  Motion,  the  Question  was  put  Viz*.  —  Whether  the  Select- 
men shall  appoint  the  Clerk  for  Faneuil  Hall  Market.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  a  a  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall 
Market,  it  appeared  that 

Mr.  Mathew  Nazro. 
was  chosen  a  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing.  — 

[147.]     On  Motion  Voted  that 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Dr.  Welch 

John  R.  Sigorney 
be  a  Committee  to  enquire  what  is  the  duty  of  a  Clerk  of  Faneuil 
Hall   Market   and   Report   such   additions    as  they  shall  Judge 
proper.  — 

The  Inhabitants  as  directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for  twelve 
Constables  when  it  appeared  that 


220  City  Document. 

Messrs :  Sliubael  Hews 

Samuel  Whitney 
Benjamin  Homans 
John  Butterfield 
John  Cades 
James  Perkins 
John  Bosson 
Edward  Wentworth 
Henry  Crompston 
John  M°Lane 
Abner  Rummerel 
James  Williams 
were  chose  Constables  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Voted,  that  four  per  cent  be  allowed  and  hereby  is  allowed  to 
the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  for  all  such  Sums 
of  Money  &  piiblic  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  into 
the  several  Treasuries  of  the  Sums  committed  to  them  to  collect 
within  ten  Months  from  the  receit  of  the  Tax  Books,  and  three 
per  cent  on  all  [148.]  such  other  Sums  as  shall  afterwards  be 
Collected  also  that  such  Collectors  give  Bond  with  sufficient 
Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  Duty  in  said  Office  and  complying  with  this  Vote 
and  that  they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gratuity  for  dis- 
counting any  order,  Notes  or  Receipts  from  the  Treasurer  of  the 
State  or  the  Treasurer  of  the  Town 

Mess1'8.  Benjamin  Henderson 

James  Thompson 

Thomas  Bay  ley 

Charles  Williams 
were  chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  qualified 
themselves  for  their  Office  as  the  Law  directs.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Assesssors  be  and  hereby  are  impowered  and 
directed  to  set  for  such  Abatements  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable,  two  Days  in  each  week,  after  the  delivery  of  the  Tax 
Books  to  the  Collectors,  for  the  space  of  Six  Weeks  and  no 
longer,  saving  that  they  be  allowed  to  set  the  last  Week  in  Feb- 
ruary, Lords  Day  excepted,  for  the  Abatement  of  the  Taxes  of 
such  Persons  as  had  not  an  opportunity  of  applying  in  the  above 
limited  time,  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Commonwealth 
or  any  unavoidable  hindrance  &  that  the  Assessors  determine 
upon  the  said  two  Days,  which  is  to  be  noted  on  the  Tax  Bills 
to  be  Delivered  to  the  Inhabitants.  — 

[149.]     The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  five  Assessors  it  ap- 
peared that 

Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Lowder 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  221 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
John  R.  Sigorney 
Mr.  Edward  Davis 
were  chose  Assessors  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  qualified  them- 
selves as  the  Law  directs. 

Allowance  to  the  Assessors  postponed  to  May  Meeting.  — 

John  Winslow  Esqr. 
Thomas  Greenleaff 
Lemuel  Cravath 
Luke  Baker 
Oliver  Brewster 
William  Boardman  Junr. 
Samuel  Greenough  Junr. 
Morgan  Stillman 
John  Fisher 
Samuel  Coverly 
Henry  Newman 
Allen  Crocker 
were  chose  Clerks^ of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  Henry  Blaisdel 

John  Champney 

Samuel  Dyer 

Joseph  Ayres 

Edmund  Ranger 

Moses  May 

Benjamin  White 
[150.]  Joshua  Bentley 

Josiah  Nuttage 

Benjamin  Page 

Nathaniel  Glover 

James  Rogers 

Abraham  Hayward 

Clement  Collings 

John  Cogswell 

Andrew  Townsend  Junr. 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  and   Shingles  for  the  Year 
Ensuing. 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  10th.  Inst.  10.  oClock 

Wednesday  the  10th.  Inst.  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 
see  Page  154  — 

The  Selectmen 
Were  Chose  Surveyors  of  the  high  ways  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  William  McNeil 

Jeff ery  Richardson  were  — 
Chose  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 


222  City  Document. 

Messrs.  Benjamin  White 
Samuel  Dyer 
William  Crafts 
Andrew  Townsend  Junr. 
William  Todd  —  were  Chose  Fence  View- 
ers for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mess1'8.  William  Billings 
Samuel  Bangs 
Nathan  Green 
Thomas  Bradlee 

Jacob   Holland,    were   Chose    Sealers    of 
Leather  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

[151.]  Mr.  Adam  Col  son 

Was  Chosen  An  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Year  Ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  Job  Wheelwright 
Joshua  Pico 
Manasseh  Marston 
Henry  Purket 
.William  Parkman 
Lemuel  Gardner 
Joseph  Loring 
Thomas  Foster 
John  Bray 
Edward  Dolbear 
Caleb  Hayden 
Edward  Burt 
Samuel  Harris 
John  Owen 
Samuel  Avis 
Ebenezer  Woodward 
David  Marston 
Arthur  Langsford 
Thomas  Barber 
Joseph  Bisset 
William  Marston 
John  Smith 
Jonathan  Cushing 
Timothy  Pease  Junr. 
Were  Chose  Cullers  of  hoops  and  Staves  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Messrs.  George  Hamlin 
Francis  Booth 
Robert  Hews 
were  Chose  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

[152.]  Messrs.  George  Hamlin 

Francis  Booth 
James  Wheeler 
Were  Chose  Haywards  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  223 

Voted  that  Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Samuel  Breck 

Majr.  Thompson 
Be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Audit  the  accompts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  also  the  accounts  of  the  Selectmen  & 
Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  said  Committee  are  also  directed  to 
report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Services  of  the 
Present  Year  — 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Edward  Tuckerman  Esqr. 
Were  Chose  Survey ers  of  Wheat  for  the  Year  Ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 
Were  Chose  Assay  masters  for  the  year  Ensuing.  — 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler  and  John  Andrews  Esqr.  having  by  Letter 
acquainted  the  Meeting,  that  they  Could  not.  for  the  reasons 
offer' d  Serve  as  Selectmen  the  present  year,  it  was  moved  and  — 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  those  Gentlemen  for  their  good  Services  in  that  office  A  Num- 
ber of  Years  past  — 

[153.]  Mr.  Cooper  Acquainted  the  Town  that  having  been 
Chosen  into  the  office  of  A  Fireward  for  about  Thirty  five  years 
Successively,  he  must  now  decline  that  service,  whereupon  it 
was.  — 

Voted.  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Mr.  Cooper  for  his  good  services  during  so  long  A  Period 

The  Petition  of  Doctor  Whipple  &  Captn  Laha  relative  to  the 
Continuance  of  an  Inoculating  hospital  at  Rainsford  Island  was 
read,  whereupon 

Voted  that  the  Petitioners  agreeable  to  The  Prayer  of  their 
Petition.  Have  the  Approbation  of  the  Town  for  their  Continue- 
ing  said  Inoculating  Hospital  at  Rainsford  Island 

The  petition  of  Mr.  Benja.  Kingsbury  for  an  abatement  of 
Taxes,  read  and  Considered  Whereupon  —  Voted  —  That  Mr. 
Kingsbury  has  Leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition  — 

The  Petition  of  A  Number  of  Inhabitants,  for  A  New  Watch 
to  be  Stationed  in  State  Street  —  read  —  whereupon  — 

Voted.  That  the  Petition  be  Left  to  the  selectmen  to  Consider 
and  act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge  Proper  — 

The  Petition  of  A  Number  of  Persons  That  A  Person  may  be 


22-±  City  Document. 

Appointed  &  A  Salary  allowed  him  to  take  Care  of  the  Hay 
Engine  Instead  of  the  present  mode  of  leasing  the  Same  read  & 

Voted,  That  sd.  Petitioners  have  Leave  to  withdraw  their 
Petition 

[154.]      The  Inhabitants  having  been  directed  to  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  two  Selectmen  in  the  room  of  Captn.  Tyler,  and 
Mr.    Andrews   who  had    resign 'd,    and    the    same   having   been 
brought  in  &  Sorted,  it  Appeared  —  That 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
"Were  Chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

see  Page  143 

The  Petition  of  Majr.  Samuel  Cookson  relative  to  A  Nuisance, 
near  A  place  formerly  Called  Hog  Ally  —  read  —  whereupon — ■ 

Voted,  that  John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Hona.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

"William  Thompson  Esqr. 
be  A  Committee  to  Consider  the  Petition  and  to  report  as  soon  as 
may  be 

The  Town  brought  in  their  Votes  as  directed  by  the  Moderator 
for  Three  fire  wards  in  the  room  of  ye.  Gentlemen  who  have  re- 
signed—  upon  Sorting  them  it  Appeared  that 

Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell  Junr. 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 
Were  Chose  firewards  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

The  Committee  relative  to  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market. 
Pr.  Coll0.  Craft  Chairman  reported  —  Whereupon,  the  following 
Votes  were  Passed  Viz*. 

Whereas,  the  duty  of  the  Clerk  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  is  not 
understood,  and  it  now  becoming  Necessary  that  the  Same 
should  be  Clearly  defined  [155.]  to  enable  him  faithfully  to 
discharge  the  Same  —  therefore  —  Voted  That  the  Clerk  of  the 
Market  who  now  is  or  may  hereafter  be  Chosen,  shall  before  he 
enters  on  the  duty  of  his  Office  give  Bond  to  the  Selectmen  to 
account  for  all  moneys  he  may  receive,  and  be  sworn  to  the  faith- 
ful discharge  of  his  duty,  and  shall  be  obliged  to  Settle  with  the 
Selectmen  at  least  once  every  month,  and  Oftener  if  Called  upon 
by  them  —  also  — 

Voted.  That  it  be  the  Duty  of  Said  Clerk,  and  he  is  hereby 
ordered  and  directed  to  have  the  Market  under  Faneuil  Hall 
kept  —  Clean,  and  Swept  out.  twice  a  Week,  and  washed  Out. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  225 

every  Saturday,  from  the  Month  of  May  to  the  Month  of  Octo- 
ber, following  —  that  no  dirt  or  filth  Of  any  sort  be  Suffered  to 
lay  on  or  round  the  Market  Square  so  called,  for  more  than 
Twenty  four  Hours  —  that  the  Same  shall  be  collected  up  in 
Piles  —  for  removal  every  afternoon,  begining  the  first  week  in 
May.  and  to  continue  till  the  last  week  in  October  —  and  from 
October  to  May  the  fifth  shall  be  removed  at  least  once  every 
Week  — 

Voted  that  it  be  particularly  the  duty  of  the  said  Clerk,  and  he 
is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  inspect  all  weights  and 
measures  made  use  of.  in  and  round  the  market  square  so  called, 
and  to  Prosecute  all  Persons  making  use  of  weights  and  meas- 
ures, not  according  to  the  standard  of  Law.  [156.]  On  his  own 
View,  or  on  complaint  made  to  him  by  any  of  the  inhabitants. 
And  he  is  further  ordered  and  directed  on  his  own  View,  or  on 
the  information  of  any  inhabitant  of  the  Town,  to  Prosecute  to 
final  Judgment  any  Huckster  or  Forestallers  of  the  Market  and 
whatever  legal  expences  may  arise  in  Consequence  of  the  Prose- 
cution of  either  of  the  above  cases,  shall  be  born  by  the  Town  — 
To  the  intent  that  the  above  regulations  may  be  put  in  full 
force. — 

Voted.  That  the  selectmen  be  and  they  are  hereby  empowered 
and  directed  on  Complaint  of  any  of  the  inhabitants  against  the 
Clerk  for  neglect  of  his  duty  about  the  same,  and  if  on  Enquiry 
they  shall  find  him  G-uilty  thereof,  they  are  hereby  empowered 
and  directed  to  appoint  Some  other  meet  Person  in  his  room 
untill  the  Town  Proceed  by  the  Choice  of  Another  — 

Voted.  That  all  matters  and  things  Which  shall  remain  un- 
finished at  this  meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General  Town 
meeting  in  May  next. 

Voted.  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Honble .  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  Moderator  of  this  meeting  for 
his  good  Services  in  dispatching  the  business  thereof.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was  dissolv'd 

[157.]  Return  of  the  Widening  of  Prince  Street  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Major  Part  of  the  Justices,  and  Selectmen  of 
the  Town  of  Boston.  On  the  9th.  day  of  October  1789.  For 
regulating  and  enlarging.  Prince  Street  Where  a  dessolution  has 
happened  — 

A  Line  was  run  from  the  South  west  Corner  Westerly  on  Land 
of  Heni-y  Newman,  eight  feet,  and  then  Sixteen  feet  North  on 
Prince  Street,  continuing  A  slant  Line  easterly  on  back  Street. 
eleven  feet,  from  thence  on  A  Strait  line,  South  on  Land  of  the 


Justices  of 
the  Peace 


226  City  Document. 

Widdow  Gees  twenty  four  feet.  The  Land  within  the  Said  lines  — 
Containing  One  hundred  and  Sixty  Square  feet  the  Said  Justices 
and  Selectmen  State  and  lay  out  into  the  Public  street  or  high 
Way  — 

Joseph  Gardner 

Thomas  Crafts 

Samuel  Barrett 

Ezekiel  Price 

Thomas  Edwards 

James  Hughes 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr 

Nath1.  Greene 

John  Scollay  "") 

Harb.  Dorr  0  ,     , 

Edward  Tyler  Selectmen 

rrn  w  n  °i  Boston. 

Thomas  W  alley 

Ebenr.  Seaver 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Magistrates  &  Selectmen  the  Ninth  of 
October.  One  Thousand  Seven  hundred  &  Eighty  nine 

[158.]  Present.  Mess"1.  Justice  Gardner.  Greenleaf.  Barrett. 
Crafts.  Price.  Dawes.  Edwards.  Green,  and  Hewes. 

Of  the  Selectmen 
Present.  Messrs.   Scollay.  Dorr.  Price.  Tyler.  Andrews  Walley 
and  Boardman  — 

Voted.  Unanimously.  That  the  above  Peice  of  Land  be  taken 
in  to  widen  the  Street  The  Same  being  thought  Necessary  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Town,  as  it  lay  in  A  ruinous,  hazardous  And 
Very  dangerous  Situation.  The  Above  Described  Peice  com- 
mencing Thirteen  feet,  from  The  building  now  Standing  On  the 
same  Estate  (Formerly  Gee's)  Fronting  on  back  Street 


[159.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston,  of  Twenty  one  years  of  age.  and  upwards,  qualified. 
as  the  Constitution  Prescribes,  and  Legaly  Warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting.  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  fifth 
day  of  April  —  Anno  Domini.  1790.  — 

The  Meeting  was  opened,  with  Prayer  by  the  Eevd.  Mr.  Bel- 
knap — 

Warrant  for  Calling  a  Meeting  —  read 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment.  relative 
to  the  Choice  of  Governor.  Lieu*.  Governor,  and  Senators  —  read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790. 


227 


It  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be  re- 
ceived but  such  as  are  unfolded ;  and  they  Purpose  the  Poll  shall 
be  Closed  at  half  past  Twelve  O 'Clock,  and  the  Votes  received 
at  the  Table.  — 

It  was  ordered  by  the  Selectmen  that  the  Bells  be  tolled  at 
Twelve  O'Clock.  — 


Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  with  the  Number  of  Votes  for 
Each  Person  —  Viz*.  — 


His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr 
Honorable  —  James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 
His  Honor.  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 
Joseph  Barrel  Esq1'.     -     -     -     - 


Votes 

739 

224 

1 

1 


[160.]     Persons    Voted  for   as 
number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person.  — 


Lieu1.    Governor  with   the 


Votes 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  788 

Honorable  Thomas  Russell  Esq1'.     -     -     -     -  165 

Honorable  Azor  Orne  Esqr.  - 1 

His  Escellcy.  John  Hancock  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  1 

Honorable  Benja.  Lincoln  Esqr. 1 

Honorable  Caleb  Davis  Esq1'. 1 

Joseph  Barrel  Esqr. 1 

Mr.  Edward  Wentworth 1 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  with 
the  Number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Honble.  William  Phillips  Esq1'. 951 

Honble.  Cotton  Tufts  Esqr. 959 

Honble.  Stephen  Metcalf  Esq1'. 948 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1 959 

HonbIe.  Benf.  Austin  Junr.  Esq1.    ....  669 

Honble.  William  Heath  Esq1'. 659 

Honble.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 290 

John  Read  Esq1. 256 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 17 

James  Bowdoin  Junr.  Esq1'.      -     -     -  45 

Honble.  Elijah  Dunbar  Esq1'.     -     -     -  1 

Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  46 

Arnold  Wells  Esq1'.       -     -     -  1 

Samuel  Breck  Esq1'.     -     -     -  1 

Honble.  Ebenezer  Wales  Esqr.  -     -     -  1 

Thomas  Clarke  Esq1'.   -     -     -  1 

Honble.  Jabez  Fisher  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  1 

Honble.  Richard  Cranch  Esqr.  -     -     -  1 

Mr.  Seth  Johnson 1 


228  City  Document. 

[161.]  Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Gov- 
ernor. Lieutenant  Governor  and  Senators,  for  the  County  of 
Suffolk  were  committed  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth 
and  the  Inclosers,  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  ;  Superscribed  as 
follows.  Viz*. 

For 

John  Avery  Esq1'. 

Secretary  of  the 

Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

The  Number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Governor 
Lieutenant  Governor  And  Six  Senators,  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk—  Certified  within  and  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting 
Was  dissolved. 


[162.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting.  Assembled,  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday 
the  11th.  day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1790 

10.  O'Clock.  A.  M. 
Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Doctr.  Howard 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting     -     -     read 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  G-overment  which 
relates  to  the  Choice  of  Representatives read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  Or  Parts  of  them  were 
Accordingly  -     -     read  — 

The  Town  having  Determined  to  Choose  Seven  Persons  to 
Represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held 
in  the  State  house  in  Boston  On  the  Last  Wednesday  of  May 
Current  Agreeable  to  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Goverment  for 
the  Massachusetts,  the  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  Withdraw  and 
bring  in  their  Votes,  for  Seven  Representatives  and  then  it  was 
declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be  received,  but 
such  as  are  unfolded.  And  that  they  intend  the  Poll  shall  be 
Closed  at  half  past  Twelve  O'Clock,  Bell  to  toll  a  Little  before 
that  time  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  [163.]  Representatives. 
The  Number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  two  hundred  —  and 
upon  —  sorting  them.  It  appeared  that  the  following  —  Gentle- 
men only  were  Chosen  by  A  Majority  of  Votes.  Viz*. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  229 

Votes 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 143 

Jonathan  Mason  Senr.  Esqr. 142 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 108 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 147 

William  Eustis  Esq1'. 178 

see  Page 

Three  O'Clock  P.  M.  is  the  time  Assigned  for  the  Choice  of 
Two  Representatives  and  the  Selectmen  Informed  the  Inhabitants 
that  they  Purpose  that  the  Poll  shall  be  Closed  at  4  O'Clock 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P.  M 

3  O'Clock  P.  M.     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Votes  for  Two  Persons  to  Represent  the  Town  in  the  Gen- 
eral Court  the  Present  year,  being  brought  in  and  Counted,  the 
whole  Number  was  found  to  be  One  hundred  Seventy  Nine  and 
the  Same  being  Sorted,  it  appeared  that  the  Two  following  Gen- 
tlemen were  Chosen  by  A  Majority  of  Votes.  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

(declined)     John  Winthrop  Esqr.       -     -     -     -     111 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esqr.  -     -     -     178 

The  Choice  of  Representatives  being  over  it  was  moved  and 
Voted.  That  the  Town  now  Come  to  the  Choice  of  A  Moderator 
by  A  hand  [164.]  Vote,  in  order  to  transact,  the  other  business 
mentioned  in  the  warrant.  — 

The  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Senr.  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Moder- 
ator accordingly.  — 

The  Representation  of  the  School  Committee  was  read.  "Where- 
upon it  was  moved  and  Voted,  That  A  Committee  be  Now  Ap- 
pointed to  Prepare  A  Vote  to  be  laid  before  the  Town  conform- 
able to  the  Representation  of  said  Committee  — 

Voted  that  John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
George  R.  Minot  Esqr. 
Nath1.  Appleton  Esqr. 
be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Town  at  the  meeting  the  8th 
March  last  to  Consider  —  What  is  Proper  to  be  done  respecting 
The  poor  of  this  Commonwealth,  beg  Leave  to  report  the  follow- 
ing State  of  Facts.  Viz*.  — 

That  by  six  warrants  in  favour  of  the  Town  dated  from  11th. 
of  August  1786  to  the  25*11  June  1789.     There  is  due  from  the 


230  City  Document. 

Commonwealth 11.540 

And  by  Subsequent  grants  for  Supporting 
the  Poor  to  the  1st  March  1789 3.764  ,,  15  ,,  5$ 


15.304  „  15  ,,  5£ 
That  on  the  above  sum  the  Commonwealth  have  allowed  no 
Interest  — 

That  the  General  Court  in  their  Last  Sessions,  reduced  the 
weekly  rate  of  Supporting  the  poor  from  8/  to  6/ 

[165.]  That  the  General  Court  orclerd  the  Last  Sum  in  the 
above  Statement  to  be  paid  out  of  the  first  monies  that  were  not 
Appropriated 

From  the  foregoing  Statement  of  Facts  your  Committee  are  of 
Opinion  That  it  would  be  Advisable  for  the  Town,  to  Prefer  A 
Memorial  or  Petition  to  the  Gene1  Court  at  their  Next  Session, 
Setting  forth  the  hardship  of  being  kept  so  Long  out  of  their 
Money  — 

Praying  that  Speedy  Payment  may  be  made  with  simple  Inter- 
est, thereon.  And  also  that  the  two  last  accounts  may  be  Al- 
lowed, in  Which  the  Town  had  Charged  8/  ^r  Week,  agreeably 
to  the  invariable  Practice  for  years  past,  except  when  an  higher 
was  allowed  — 

That  the  Town  inform  the  Honorable  General  Court,  tnat 
under  the  Present,  embarrassed  state  of  the  Town  it  will  be 
impossible  to  keep  their  Poor,  unless  the  accounts  are  paid 
Quarterly.  — 

Your  Committee  recommend  the  appointment  of  A  Committee 
with  Powers  to  treat  with  a  Committee  of  the  General  Court,  if 
they  should  think  Proper  to  appoint  one,  to  Adjust  the  rate  of 
Boarding  the  Poor  in  future,  and  the  manner  in  Which  the  Same 
shall  be  reimbursed  by  the  Commonwealth  all  which  is  humbly 
Submitted  — 

Nathaniel  Appleton  ^  ordr. 

The  foregoing  Eeport  having,  been  read  after  some  debate. 
Voted  That  the  said  report  be  Accepted  [166.]  And  that  A 
Committee  be  Now  chosen  to  Present  A  Memorial  to  the  General 
Court,  on  the  Subject  Matter  of  the  report,  as  also  to  Confer 
with  their  Committee  if  any  Such  should  be  appointed  for  the 
said  Purpose  —  also 
Voted,  that  — 

The  Gentlemen,  the  Selectmen  and  — 

The  Overseers  of  the  Poor  — 
be  a  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 


Boston  Town  Rbcoeds,  1790.  231 

Mr.  James  Wheeler  Chosen  A  Hogreave  for  The  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Committee  to  Consider  the  representation  of  the  school 
Committee  and  to  Report  what  Resolutions  are  Proper  to  be  taken 
thereon  —  Reported  —  Whereupon,  the  following  Vote  was  Passed 
by  the  Town  —  Viz*.  — 

Upon  the  Report  of  the  School  Committee  representing  that 
the  School  houses  in  the  Centre  of  the  Town,  are  insufficient  for 
the  accommodation  of  the  Children  of  that  part  of  the  Town  — 

Voted.  The  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  authorized  and  em- 
powered in  the  Name  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  to  make 
sale  of  the  House  And  Land  in  Tremont  Street  Now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Carter,  with  the  Right  of  the  Town  to  the  Land  Adjoining. 
Now  under  Lease  from  the  Town,  for  the  most  [167.]  That  can 
be,  obtained  therefore,  and  to  make  and  Execute  A  good  and 
Sufficient  Deed,  or  Deeds  to  Purchaser  or  Purchasers  thereof 
And  that  they  be  and  hereby  are  further  impowered  to  Pull  down 
the  Dwelling  House  in  School  Street  Now  Occupied  by  Master 
Hunt,  and  erect  on  the  Lot  where  the  Same  Now  Stands  A 
School  house  with  two  Stories  Sufficient  to  Accommodate  the 
Children  of  the  Centre  of  the  Town,  with  a  reading  &  Writing 
School. — The  materials  of  the  said  House  to  be  Applied  as  far 
as  they  may  be  Suitable  to  that  Purpose,  and  that  the  said  Select- 
men be  and  they  hereby  are  Authorized  and  empowered  to  Ap- 
propriate the  Moneys  which  may  Arise  from  the  Sale  of  the  first 
mentioned  House  and  Land  to  defray  the  Expence  of  building  the 
Said  School  House  —  and  it  is  further  — 

Voted.  That  untill  the  said  School  house  can  be  erected.  Fan- 
euilHallbe  appropriated,  if  Necessary,  As  A  Temporary  accomo- 
dation for  the  Children  usually  attending  the  Center  School, 

Selectmen  Preside 

A  Letter  from  John  Winthrop  Esq1',  acquainting  the  Inhabi- 
tants, that  he  must  decline  the  honor  —  this  day  conferred  on  him 
in  his  being  Chose  A  Representative  for  reasons  therein  men- 
tioned 

A  Motion  was  made  And  the  Question  Accordingly  put.  Viz*. 
Whether  The  Town  Will  Assign  A  Time  for  the  Choice  of  A 
Representative  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Winthrop  —  Passed  in  the 
Negative  — 

[168«]     Coll0.  Daws  again  in  the  Chair 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Majr.  Cooksons  Petition  Rela- 
tive  to   Hog   Alley,   read  and  Considered  —  Whereupon  it  was 


232  City  Document. 

moved  and  Voted.  That  the  selectmen  be  directed  to  take  such 
measures  for  the  removal  of  the  Nuisances  Near  the  Hay  market 
as  they  shall  think  Necessary.  And  that  they  Apply  to  Mr. 
Brimmer  and  other  Abutters,  for  Subscriptions  to  Carry  the 
Same  into  Execution  and  to  Commence  Suits  or  other  Measures 
against  Mr.  Brimmer  and  others  for  not  fullfilling  their  Contracts, 
When  Hog  Alley  was  Shut  up  or  to  leave  all  matters  to  refer- 
ence — 

Mr.  Joseph  Whittemore 
Was  Chose  A  Culler  of  Hoops  and  Staves  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  Next  being  the  18th.  day  Instant  3 
O'Clock  P.  M.  — 

Tuesday  the  18th.  May  1790  —  3  O'Clock  Met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

Mr.  Enoch  May 
Was  Chosen  Surveyer  of  Boards  and  Shingles  for  the  Year  en- 
suing — 

The  Town  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their  Votes 
for  an  Overseer  of  the  poor  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell 

[169.]  And  the  Same  having  been  brought  in  &  Sorted  it 
appeared  that  — 

Stephen  Coreham  Esqr.  — 
was  Chosen  an  Overseer  of  the  Poor,  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

On  Motion  Voted.  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  given  unto  Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell  for  his  faithful  Services  as 
an  Overseer  of  the  Poor  for  A  Number  of  Years  Past  — 

On  Motion.  Voted  That  the  Town  now  Proceed,  before  the 
Consideration  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  as  to  the  Sum 
Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Present  year,  to  make  Grants  to 
those  Servants  of  the  Town  whose  Salaries  have  not  yet  been 
Voted  them 

Voted,  That  Peter  Boyer  Esqr.  be  Allowed  and  Paid,  the  Sum 
of  One  hundred  and  Twenty  Pounds  for  his  Services  as  Treasurer 
the  Present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly  as  it  shall 
become  due,  and  to  Commence  the  first  of  March  last 

Voted,  That  William  Cooper  be  Allowed  and  paid  the  Sum  of 
One  hundred  and  Twenty  Pounds  for  his  Services  as  Town  Clerk 
the  Ensuing  Year  the  same  to  be  paid  him  Quarterly,  as  it  shall 
become  due,  and  to  Commence  from  the  first  of  March  Last.  — 

[170.]  Voted,  that  the  Allowance  to  the  Assessors  be  Six 
Shillings  A  Day  for  the  time  they  may  set  in  doing  the  business 
of  their  Office  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  233 

The  Committee  to  Audit  the  accounts  of  the  Town  Treasurer 
and  Examine  the  Draughts  Of  the  Selectmen,  and  Overseers. 
Report  — 

That  the  Treasur's  accounts  are  right  Cast  and  well  vouched, 
and  find  by  his  account  —  A  ballance  (if  all  received)  in  favour 
of  the  Town  £8322  ,,  2  ,,  If  Considerable  of  which  is  in  bad 
Debts  —  abatements  &c,  And  as  their  will  be  A  Considerable 
sum  due,  for  interest  &  other  Expences,  your  Committee  are  of 
opinion,  that  it  will  Require  the  sum  of  £6000  —  Tax  for  the 
Present  year,  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Town,  in  Addition 
to  the  Sum,  which  the  Town  will  Receive  of  the  Common  Wealth 

Joseph  Russell  Jur.  ^r  ordr 

The  foregoing  Account  having  been  read  and  Accepted  it  was 
Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  six  Thousand  Pounds  be  Raised  by  A 
Tax  to  be  Assessed,  on  the  Poll8,  and  Estates  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  Town  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Current  year  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  all  matters,  unfinished,  at  this  meeting- 
be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town  meeting  to  be  called  — 

[171.]  Extracts  from  the  Will  of  the  Late  Doctr  Franklin, 
having  been  laid  before  the  Town,  it  was  Moved  that  the  select- 
men be  desired  to  Call  A  Meeting  of  the  Town  as  speedily  as 
may  be  to  take  the  same  into  Consideration.  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


[172.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday 
the  25th.  day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1790  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting     -     -     -     read  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  — 
Chosen  Moderator  by  A  Hand  Vote  — 

A  Letter  from  Doctr  Franklins  Executors  was  laid  before  the 
Town  by  the  Selectmen,  as  also  tracts,  of  the  Doctors  Will  rela- 
tive to  his  Donations  to  the  Town  of  £100  -  -  -  &  £1000  — 
Sterling,  and  the  Same  -  -  having  been  read  and  Considered 
—  it  was  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Do  Accept  of  the  said  Donations  of 
£100  — &  £1000  — Sterling,  on  the  Terms  and  for  the  Purposes 
Expressed  in  Said  Will —  on  Motion 


234  City  Document. 

Voted  That  A  Committee  be  appointed  To  take  up  this  matter 
at  Large,  and  to  Report  to  the  Town  what  further  Votes  may  be 
Proper  to  be  Passed  thereon  also  — 
Voted  that  the  Honbi5_ 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 
Hon^  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
jjonwe  Thomas  Dawes  Jur.  Esqr. 
Be  a  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

[173.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  To  the  suits 
Commenced  against  the  Town  by  Several  of  its  Creditors  — 
read  —  Whereupon 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  Directed  to  call  upon  the 
Several  Collectors  to  exert  themselves  for  the  Collection  of 
Taxes,  in  order  that  the  Treasurer  may  be  enabled  to  discharge 
the  suits  that  have  been  Commenced  against  the  Town  — 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  Next 
3.  O'Clock  P.  M.— 

June  1^  3.  0  Clock  P.  M.  Met  According  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  take  into  Consideration  what 
Votes  may  be  proper  to  be  Passed  relative  to  the  Donations  of 
the  Late  celebrated  Doctor  Benja.  Franklin  to  this  Town  — 

Report,  That  A  fair  Copy  of  the  following  draft  of  A  Letter 
to  the  Executors  of  the  Doct1'  be  made  and  Signed  by  the  Town 
Clerk  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  and  Sent  to  Said  Executors.  — 

Boston  June  1st.  1790 
Gentlemen 

We  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston,  in  Town 
Meeting  Assembled.  Now  transmit  to  you  our  Vote  of  Accept- 
ance of  the  Two  bequests  of  your  testator.  The  most  venerable 
Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin  [174.]  The  Many  useful  designs  Pro- 
jected by  that  great  man,  during  A  Long  and  Valuable  Life, 
perhaps  even  more  than  his  exalted  Talents  as  A  Patriot,  States- 
man and  Philosopher,  must  endear  his  Memory  To  Americans, 
While  they  in  A  More  Particular  manner,  reflect  Honor  upon  the 
Town  of  Boston,  which  gave  him  Birth  and  Education  — 

Every  Step  to  Carry  into  full  Effect  his  Benevolent  plan,  will 
be  Cheerfully  Pursued  by  those  Who  he  was  Pleased  to  Consti- 
tute his  Trustees, —  And  rising  Generations  will  for  ages.  Bless 
the  Name  of  their  illustrous  Friend  &  Benefactor  — 

We  thank  you  Sir,  and  the  other  Gentlemen,  for  your  Early 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  235 

communication  of  the  Contents  of  the  Will,  as  far  as  it  relates  to 
us. 

We  are  with  the  most  Perfect  Respect  Gentlemen  Your  Most 
Obedient  Servants 

In  the  Name  &  by  order  of  the  Town 

Town  Clerk 
Henry  Hill  Esqr.  and  the 
other  Gentlemen  Execrs  to 
the  Last  Will  of  the  Late 
Doctr.  Franklin  — 

The  Committee  further  Report  that  in  their  opinion  the  Trus- 
tees appointed  by  the  Doctor  in  and  by  his  Last  will  and  Testa- 
ment are  therein  fully  Authorized,  and  impowered  to  carry  his 
benevolent  [175.]  intentions  in  said  Donations  into  Execution, 
without  any  further  Authority  from  the  Town  — 

Thomas  Dawes 

fr.  Order  — 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  Considered.  The 
Question  was  Put  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted  — 

Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

Voted  That  all  matters  and  things  which  Remain  Unfinished  at 
this  Meeting,  be  Referred  Over  to  the  Next  General  Town 
Meeting  — 

Voted  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  Be  and  hereby  are  given  to 
the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  Moderator  of  this  meeting 
for  his  Good  Services  as  Moderator  in  Dispatching  the  Business 
of  the  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 


[176.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  hall  on  monday 
the  5-  day  of  July  Anno  Domini  1790  — 

9.  O'Clock  A.  M. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting,  read 

William  Cooper 
Was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote. 


236  City  Document. 

The  Committee  appointed  the  last  year  to  make  Choice  of  A 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary  of  Indi- 
pendence  — 

Reported 

That  they  had  made  Choice  of  Edward  Gray  Esqr  to 
deliver  an  Oration  this  day  agreeable  to  the  Late  Vote  of  the 
Town  — 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  Oration  be  Deliver'd.  at  the  Old 
South  Church  12  0' Clock.  Liberty  therefor  having  been  Obtained 
by  the  Selectmen  — 

Voted.  That  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr.  Gray  with 
this  Vote  — 

The  Meeting  Then  was  adjourned  To  Meet  at  the  Old  South 
Church  at  12  O 'Clock  This  day  — 

[177.]  AN    ORATION  — 

to  commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  Was  de- 
livered by  Edward  Gray  Esqr.  At  the  old  South  Church.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  Be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A 
Committee  to  wait  on  Edward  Gray  Esq1',  and  in  the  Name  of 
the  Town  to  Thank  him  for  the  Spirited  elegant  Oration  this  day 
delivered  by  Mm  at  the  request  of  the  Town  upon  the  Anniver- 
sary of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  Of  America,  in 
which  according  to  the  Institution  of  the  Town,  He  considered 
the  feelings,  manners  and  Principles  Which  led  to  that  great  Na- 
tional Event  —  and  to  Request  of  him  A  Copy  thereof  for  the 
Press  — 

On  A  Motion — Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen,  be 
and  hereby  are  Appointed,  A  Committee  to  apply  to  Some  one 
Learned  and  able  Gentlemen  to  Deliver  an  Oration,  On  the  4th 
of  July  1791.  That  day  being  the  Anniversary,  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  Of  America ;  Wherein  the  Orator 
is  to  Consider  the  feelings,  Manner  &  Principles,  which  led  to 
this  great  National  Event ;  as  well  as  the  important  &  happy 
effects  whether  General  or  Domestic,  which  have  already  &  will 
forever  Continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

[178.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  The  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Monday 
The  26th.  day  of  July  A.D.  1790.  9.  O'Clock  A.M. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  237 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

HonWe.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Chosen  Moderator  of  this  meeting  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  A  Town  Treasurer  in  the  room  of  Peter  Boyer  Esqr. 
lately  deceased,  the  same  having  been  brought  in  and  Sorted,  it 
appeared  that  no  one  had  A  Majority  of  the  Votes  — 

Several  motions  were  made  for  Assigning  Some  future  time  for 
the  Choice  of  A  Town  Treasurer  which  did  not  Obtain  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  To  withdraw  A  Second 
time,  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  A  Town  Treasurer,  and  the 
Same  being  brought  in  Counted  and  Sorted  it  appeared  that  the 
whole  Number  Of  Votes  were  881  — And  that  — 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell  — 
Was  Chosen  by  A  Majority  of  said  Votes  —  556.  — 

[179.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  Consider 
what  measures  may  be  Necessary  for  Settling  the  Accounts  of 
the  Late  Town  Treasurer  —  Was  read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted.  That  Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 
Mr.  Henry  Prentice 
John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  Settle  the  Late  Treasurers  Accounts  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  Consider  the  request  of 
the  Collectors  Lately  chosen  That  a  further  Allowance  may  be 
made  them  for  their  Services  —  was  read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted.  That  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Jona  :  Mason  Senr.  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Junr.  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  said  request  and  to  report  thereon 
at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  any  Measures 
shall  be  taken  for  Erecting  A  Building  to  be  Improved  as  an 
Hospital  for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  Poor  of  the  Alms- 
house was  read  —  Whereupon  voted  that 

The  Honble .  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Jabez  Hatch  Esq1'. 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
[180.]     Be  A  Committee  to  consider  this  matter  and  Report 
thereon  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting  — 


238  City  Document. 

Messrs.  Edward  Weld 
John  Ballard 
Thomas  Uran 
William  Cunningham 

all  sworn 
Were  Chosen  Measurers  of  Wood  for  the  Town  of  Boston  — 

On  Motion  Voted  That  it  be  Left  to  the  Gentlemen  the  Select- 
men to  Assign  Wards  to  the  Measurers  of  Wood. 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Committee  who  reported  A  Letter 
to  Doctr.  Franklins  Execrs  have  Liberty  to  make  such  alterations 
as  to  the  signing  the  Same  and  any  Clerical  Errors  as  they  shall 
Judge  Proper.  — 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  Next  —  being  the  29th  of  July  Instant 
3.  O'Clock  P.  M.~ 

Thursday  July  29th.  1790.  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  Met  according 
to  Adjournment 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  Mr.  Joseph  Russell  who  has  been 
Chosen  Treasurer  of  the  Town,  give  Bond  Annualy,  with  suffi- 
cient Sureties  (in  the  Penal  sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds  for  the 
Present  Year)  For  the  Faithful  discharge  of  his  Trust  — 

[181.]  The  Committee  to  Consider  the  expediency  of 
erecting  an  Hospital,  reported  Verbally  —  that  an  Hospital  cannot 
be  erected  in  the  Almshouse  Yard  without  great  Injury  to  the 
Almshouse  Whereupon  Moved  and  Voted,  That  A  Committee  be 
Now  appointed,  to  take  up  this  Matter  at  Large  and  report  at  the 
Adjournment,  and  that  when  this  Meeting  is  Adjourned,  it  shall 
be  to  this  day  Three  Weeks  —  3.  O'Clock  P.  M.  to  receive  said 
report.  — 

Voted.  That  the  Honble  Thos.  Dawes  Esqr. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Jonathan  Mason  Sen1'.  Esq  . 

Doctr.  David  Townsend 
Doctr.  William  Eustis 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

Committee  to  Consider  A  Report  relative  to  Collectors,  in- 
formed the  Town  by  their  Chairman.  Coll0.  Crafts  that,  they 
were  not  yet  ready  to  make  report.  — 

Adjourned  to  this  day  Three  weeks  being  the  19th.  of  August 
Next  3.  O'Clock.  P.M:  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  239 

Thursday  the  19th.  of  August  3.  O'Clock  P.M.  Met  accord- 
ing to  Adjournment  — 

The  Selectmen  having  as  the  Law  directs,  laid  before  the  In- 
habitants Lists  of  Persons  [183.]  Of  good  Moral  Character, 
and  such  as  they  Judged,  well  qualified  to  serve  as  Jurors  — 
whereupon 

Voted.  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen,  be  and  hereby  are 
appointed  A  Committee  to  receive  and  act  further  upon  said  List 
of  Jurors  — according  to  Law  —  Mem0,  reconsidered. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  the  State  of  the  Alms- 
house —  Reported  — 

1st.  That  the  building  now  occupied  for  the  Almshouse  is  too 
near  the  Center  of  the  Town,  and  not  sufficiently  Large  to  ac- 
commodate the  Number  of  the  poor  present  in  the  House  —  pre- 
vious to  the  War  —  the  number  did  not  exceed.  150..  or  180..  in 
the  Winter  season,  nor  100  ..  or  120  ..  in  Summer — There  are  in 
the  Pi'esent  month  of  August  between  270  ..  &  280  ..  in  the 
ensuing  Winter  it  is  Probable  there  will  be  between  300  ..  and 
400.— 

2d.  There  is  no  Ground  in  the  Yard  to  Admit  of  any  Addi- 
tional buildings.  — 

3d.  In  all  infirmaries,  poor  houses,  and  hospitals,  it  is  con- 
sidered an  essential  provision  that  separate  and  detached  build- 
ings should  be  appropriated  for  the  reception  and  accommodation 
of  such  Persons,  as  are  diseased,  more  especially  those  whose 
diseases  are  infectious  —  The  Almshouse  [183.]  in  Boston,  is 
perhaps  the  only  instance  known  where  Persons  of  every  descrip- 
tion and  disease  are  lodged  under  the  same  roof  and  in  some  in- 
stances in  the  same  or  Contiguous  Apartments,  by  which  means 
the  sick  are  disturbed,  by  the  Noise  of  the  healthy,  and  the  infirm 
rendered  liable  to  the  Vices  and  diseases  of  the  diseased,  and 
profligate.  — 

4th.  The  Present  buildings  are  so  Constructed,  as  not  to 
Admit  of  a  free  Ventilation  and  they  are  so  Old  as  to  require 
constant  repairs 

5th  The  Yard  is  not  Spacious  enough  to  Admit  of  Sufficient 
walk  for  the  Patients,  while  the  Air  is  rendered  Noxious,  from  the 
Number  of  Pitts  and  Vaults,  Necessarily  made  near  together, 
and  too  Near  the  Dwelling  houses. 

The  Committee  Therefore  report  as  their  opinion,  that  An  article 
be  inserted  in  the  Warrant  for  the  Town  Meeting  in  October 


240  City  Document. 

next  —  to  Notify  the  inhabitants,  that  this  subject  so  important 
to  the  Town  be  taken  up  and  Acted  upon  at  that  time  — 

Thomas  Dawes  ^r  order 

The  foreging  Report  having  been  read  and  Considered.  The 
Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  same  shall  be  Accepted 
—  it  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

[184.]  The  Committee  to  Settle  the  Late  treasurer  Boyers 
account  —  Reported  and  the  same  having  been  read  and  Con- 
sidered by  the  Town  it  was  Voted,  That  — 

Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Senr.  Esqr. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'. 
Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esqr. 
Joseph  Barrell  Esqr. 
Joseph  Russell  Jim1'.  Esqr. 
Honble.  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
be  A  Committee  to  Examine  into  the  State  of  the  Debts  and 
Credits  of  the  Town,  to  Enquire  into  the  State  of  Outstanding 
Taxes,  what  Proportion  of  such  Taxes  can  Probably  be  Collected, 
what  Measures  may  be  Pursued  to  enforce  A  Collection,   and 
what  Measures  can  be  best  Adopted  to  relieve  the  Town  from  its 
Present  Embarrassments,  as  well  as  such  as  may  have  a  tendency, 
to  Place  and  hold  the  Police  &  Finances  of  the  Town  upon  a 
respectable  footing  —  also  — 

Voted.  That  the  aforementioned  Report  be  handed  to  the 
above  Named  Committee.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  the  request  of  the  Col- 
lectors of  Taxes.  That  a  further  allowance  may  be  made  them  for 
their  Services,  beg  Leave  to  Report.  That  they  have  Attended 
that  business  and  that  it  appears  to  them,  that  the  request  is  — 
[185.]  reasonable,  and  that  four  per  Cent  be  allowed  the  Col- 
lectors, upon  all  they  shall  Collect  upon  the  outstanding  Taxes  of 
1789.  and  that  five  per  Cent  be  Allowed  them  on  all  they  shall 
Collect  of  the  Taxes  of  1790.  not  yet  Issued,  any  Vote  to  the 
Contrary  notwithstanding  — 

Thomas  Crafts  f r.  ordr 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read  and  Considered.  The 
Question  was  put.  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Same  shall  be  accepted.  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative.  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  Next  9.  O'Clock  in  the  forenoon.  — 

Monday  the  23d  day  of  August  9.  O'Clock  in  the  forenoon.  Met 
according  to  Adjournment 


Boston  Town  Records,  1790.  241 

The  Selectmen  having  as  the  Law  [requires]  laid  before  the 
inhabitants.  Lists  of  Persons  of  good  Moral  Character,  and  such 
as  they  Judged  well  Qualified  to  Serve  as  Jurors.  The  Town 
Proceded  To  Examine  Said  List,  and  Selected  one  quarter  part 
Of  the  Number,  being  such  as  they  Judged  best  qualified  to  Serve 
at  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  and  their  Names  being  Written  on 
Separate  pieces  of  Paper  were  put  into  one  of  the  Boxes,  to  be 
liable  to  be  drawn  out  to  Serve  on  the  Petit  Jury  at  the  supreme 
Judicial  Court  and  the  remainder  of  said  List,  the  Names  being 
"Written  on  Separate  paper  were  put  [186.]  Into  the  other  box 
Provided  by  the  Selectmen,  — To  Serve  on  the  Petit  Jury  at  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas,  and  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  all 
being  done  in  the  Town  Meeting  and  Strictly  Conformable  to  an 
act,  Entitled  an  Act,  for  regulating  the  Choice  and  Services  of 
Petit  Jurors. — Passed  the  16th  June  1784 

Voted.  That  all  matters  and  things  Which  Remain  Unfinished 
at  this  meeting  be  referred  Over  to  the  Next  General  Town 
Meeting  —  that  may  be  Called.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town,  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Sen1.  Esqr.  for  his  good  Ser- 
vices—  As  Moderator  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[187.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday 
the  4th  day  of  October  Anno  Domini  1790.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  West.  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting.  — read 

Resolve  of  General  Court  of  Massachusets  for  Calling  this 
meeting  for  the  Choice  of  A  Representative  for  Congress ;  and 
that  part  of  the  Constitution  which  relates  to  the  Choice  of  Rep- 
resentatives. —  read. — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  Withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  Person  being  an  Inhabitant  of  the  District  of  the 
County  of  Suffolk,  To  Represent  the  People  of  this  Common- 
wealth, in  Congress  of  the  United  States  Agreeably  to  A  Vote 
of  the  General  Court  of  the  Commonwealth  of  the  Massachusetts. 
the  18th  July  last 

It  was  then  declared  that  the  Polls  would  be  Closed  at  one 
O'Clock.  and  that  the  Votes  would  be  received  at  the  Table  — 


242  City  Document. 

Persons.  Voted  for  To  Represent  the  People  of  the  Common- 
wealth of  Massachusetts  [188.]  in  Congress  of  the  United 
States  being  inhabitants  of  the  district  of  the  County  of  Suffolk 
with  the  Number  of  Votes  to  each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble.  Fisher  Ames  Esq1. 1203 

Honble   Thomas  Dawes  Jr.  Esqr. 128 

Honble    Benjamin  Austin  Jur.  Esqr.  -     -     -     -       213 

The  Votes,  for  A  Representative  being  given  in  and  Declared, 
it  was  moved  and  Voted  that  the  Town  Now  come  to  the  Choice 
of  A  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote,  in  order  to  transact  the  other 
business  Mentioned  in  the  Warrant.  — 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  — 
was  Chosen  Moderator  of  the  Meeting.  — 

Then  Adjourned  to  Friday  Next  10  O'Clock  being  the  8th  of 
October  Instant  — 

Town  Met  according  to  Adjournment  The  Meeting  being  Thin 
it  was  moved  and  Voted  that  this  meeting  be  further  Adjourned 
to  the  first  Wednesday  in  November  next  being  the  3d.  of  said 
Month  at  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  : — 

November  3d.  1790.  At  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

Coll-  Crafts  Moderator  being  Prevented  from  giving  his  At- 
tendance — 

[189.]  The  Honorable  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Mod- 
erator Pro  Tern  — 

Moved  &  Voted.  That  all  matters  and  things  which  shall  re- 
main unfinished  at  this  meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  General 
Town  meeting  in  March  next 

Mr.  Hills  Memorial  was  read,  when  it  was  moved  and  Voted, 
that  the  same  be  referred  to  A  Committee  for  consideration.  — 
also.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  relative  to  the  Towns  Finances,  be 
A  Committee  for  sd.  Petition  to  Report  at  March  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[190.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legally  Warned  in 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  243 

Public  Town  Meeting.  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the 
14th  day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1791  —  10.  O'Clock.  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Peter  Thatcher 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting,  read 

Sundry  Laws,  to  be  read  at  this  Meeting,  were  accordingly 
-     -     -     -     read  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  Withdraw,  and  to  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  A  Moderator  of  this  Meeting,  and  the  same  having 
been  brought  in  and  sorted  it  appeared 

That  the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  was  Chosen  — 

The  Inhabitants  then  were  directed  To  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  A  Town  Clerk,  and  the  Same  having  been  brought 
in  and  Sorted  it  appeared,  that  — 

William  Cooper  was  Chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  ensuing 
and  the  Oath  was  Administered  to  him  by  Thomas  Crafts  Esq1.  — 

[191.]  The  Town  having  determined  by  A  Vote  to  Choose 
Nine  Selectmen,  The  Inhabitants  Were  directed  to  Withdraw 
and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  that  Number  and  upon  Sorting  them 
it  appeared  that  the  following  Gentlemen  —  Viz*. 

Harbottle  Dorr  Esq1. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 
Deacon  Wm  Boardman 
Ebenezer  Sever  — 
Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
Mr.  Joseph  Peirce  — 
Were  Chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Twelve  O'Clock  Assigned  for  the  Choice  of  A  County  Register. 
Poll  to  be  Closed  y2  past  one  O'Clock. 

Three.  O'Clock  Assigned  for  the  Choice  Of  County  Register. 
Poll  to  be  Closed  at  4.  O'Clock  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  the  Almshouse  — 
read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  that  this  report  be  recommitted,  and  said  Committee 
are  desired  to  Report  at  large,  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  Meeting 


244  City  Document. 

[192.]  also  Voted.  That  it  be  inserted  in  the  News  Papers 
that  such  report  (if  the  Committee  are  ready)  will  then  be  Con- 
sidered, and  acted  upon  at  the  Adjournment.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A 
Committee  to  Count  the  Votes  that  shall  be  brought  in  for  A 
County  register  — 

Votes,  for  A  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
brought  in  and  Counted  by  the  Selectmen  (A  Committee  Chosen 
for  the  Purpose)  when  it  appeared  that  the  whole  Number  was 
one  Thousand  one  hundred  and  Nineteen,  and  that  they  were  for 
the  following  Persons.  — Viz*.  — 

Vote; 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esq1'. 342 

Samuel  Barrett  Esqr. 335 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. -  146 

Mr.  Henry  Alline 199 

Mr.  Elkanah  Hawkes 96 

Samuel  Quincy  Esqr. 1 


1119 


All  the  above  being  discreet  suitable  persons  and  Freeholders  and 
Residents  In  the  same  County  — 

Att.  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk  —  Mem0.  An  Attested  Copy 
hereof  was  given  To  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions. — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  — 

[193.]     Three  O  'Clock  P  :  M  :    Town  met 

Votes,  for  a  Treasurer  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  brought  in. 
and  Counted,  by  the  Moderator  and  Town  Clerk,  when  it  appeared, 
that  the  whole  number  was.  Three  hundred  and  Ninety  four,  and 
that  they  were  all  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  a  discreet  suitable 
Person,  being  a  Free-holder,  and  Resident  in  the  Same  County  — 

Mem0.  The  Attested  Copy  hereof  was  given  to  Ezekiel  Price 
Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes,  for  Twelve  Overseers  Of  the  Poor,  and  the  same  being 
brought  in  &  Sorted  It  appeared  — That  — 

Jonathan  Mason  Esq1'. 

John  White  Esq1'. 

Edward  Procter  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  245 

Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr. 

Samuel  Parkman  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Henry  Hill  Esqr. 

John  Codman  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Smith 

"William  Phillips  Junr  Esqr. 

Stephen  Groreham  Esqr. 
Were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  year  Ensuing  Unani- 
mously — 

[194.]  Mr.  Joseph  Russell  — 

was  Chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year  ensuing  and  the  Oath 
of  Office  Administred  to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes,  for  Sixteen  Firewards,  and  the  same  brought  in  and  sorted 
it  Appeared  That  — 

The  Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Mr.  Thomas  Tyleston 

John  Winthrop  Esq1. 

Thomas  Melvil  Esqr. 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark 

Hon.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Samuel  Parkman  Esqr. 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esqr. 

Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 

Henry  Jackson  Esqr. 
Were  Chosen  Firewards  for  the  year  Ensuing  — 

Moved  and  Voted  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  take  into 
Consideration  the  State  of  The    Market   at   Large   and   report 
thereon  at  the  Adjournment.     [195.].     Voted,  That 
The  Hon0.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esq1. 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Mr.  Elisha  Sigorney 
Cap*.  James  Prince 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  purpose.  — 

Moved  &  Voted,  That  the  Choice  of  a  Clerk  for  Faneuil  Hall 
Market  be  referred  to  the  Adjournment.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*,  to  Choose  A  School  Commit- 
tee, read  "On  Motion  — 


246  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  in  Addition  to  the  Selectmen  Twelve  Persons  shall 
now  be  chosen,  and  the  following  Gentlemen  were  accordingly 
Chosen  by  Ballot     -     -     -     Viz*. 

Hon°  Thomas  Dawes  Senr.  Esq1. 
Revd.  Samuel  West 
Revd.  John  Lothrop  D.  D. 
Revd.  James  Freeman 
John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
Dr.  Thomas  Welch 
Dr.  Nathaniel  W.  Appleton 
Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esq1. 
Aaron  Dexter  Esqr. 
Christopher  Grore  Esqr. 
George  R.  Minot  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 

[196.]  Also.  Voted,  That  the  aforegoing  Committee  who 
Conjunctly  are  to  be  termed  the  School  Committee.  Be  and 
hereby  are  directed  To  Carry  the  New  System  of  Education 
which  has  been  Adopted  by  the  Town  into  operation,  and  said 
Committee  are  also  Authorized  and  impowered  Conjunctly  to 
manage  and  regulate  the  affairs  and  Government  of  the  Schools, 
and  in  future  to  Exercise  all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  Schools 
and  Schoolmasters  which  the  Selectmen  or  such  Committees  are 
Authorized  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth  Or  the  Votes  of 
this  Town  to  Exercise,  any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  Notwith- 
standing — 

Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr.  having  declined  Serving  as  A  Selectman, 
into  which  Office  He  had  been  again  Chosen  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town,  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  Harbottle  Dorr  Esq1,  for  his  good  and  faithful  services  as  a 
selectman  for  Twelve  years  past.  — 

Coll-  Hatch,  having  also,  resigned  As  A  Selectman,  received 
the  Thanks  of  the  Town  for  his  good,  and  faithful  Services  in 
that  office  for  A  Number  of  Years  past.  — 

[197.]  On  Motion  Voted.  That  the  Town  Treasurer  give 
Bond  with  Sureties  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen,  in  the 
Penal  sum  of  Ten  Thousand  Pounds,  for  his  faithful  discharge 
of  the  duties  of  his  Office.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Doctor  Franklins  dona- 
tions. —  read  and  the  Consideration  of  that  matter  is  referred  to 
the  Adjournment. 

Voted.  That  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  directed  and 
empowered  to  Set  for  such  abatements  of  Taxes  as  'they  shall 
Judge  reasonable,  two  days  in  Each  week,  after  the  delivery  of 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  247 

the  Tax  books  to  the  Collectors,  for  the  Space  of  Six  Weeks ; 
and  no  Longer.  Saving  that  they  he  Allowed  to  Set  the  Last  Week 
in  February,  Lords  day  Excepted,  for  the  abatement  of  the  Taxes 
of  such  Persons,  as  had  not  the  opportunity  of  applying  in  the 
aboue  Limited  time  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Common- 
wealth, or  other  unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the  Assessors 
determine  upon  the  Said  Two  days,  which  is  to  be  Noted  on  the 
Tax  bills,  to  be  delivered  to  the  inhabitants  — 

[198.]     The  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  Five  Assessors,  it 
appeared  that 

Giles  Harris  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Lowder 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 

Mr.  John  R.  Sigorney 

Mr.  Edward  Davis 
were  Chose  Assessors  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  James  Morrel 
William  Shaw 
Zach\  Hicks 
Lewis  Carnes 
Thomas  Clark 
Daniel  Greenleaf 
Samuel  Snelling 
Samuel  Bradley 
Joseph  Woodward 
James  Green 
Thomas  Rogers 
William  Coolidge 
were  Chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  ensuing 

Voted  That  the  Hon0  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Herman  Brimmer  Esq1. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Audit  the  accounts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  also  the  [199.]  Accounts  of  the 
Selectmen  and  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  And  said  Committee  are 
also  directed  to  report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the 
service  of  the  Present  year.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Consideration  of  all  money  matters  be  referred 
over  to  the  Next  May  Meeting.  — 

The  Petition,  relative -to  Hackney  Coaches.  Whereupon  Voted, 

That  Perez  Morton  Esqr. 
Mr.  Benjamin  Russell 
Coll-  Craft 
Maj-  Cobbet 
Mr.  Edward  Davis 
be  A  Committee  on  said  Petition  to  Report  at  the  Adjournment. 


248  City  Document. 

Adjourned,  to  Tuesday  Morning  9.  O. Clock  A  :  M  : 

Tuesday  the  15th.  March  Instant  9.  O'Clock.     Met  according 
to  Adjournment.  — - 

Messrs.  Benjamin  White 
Samuel  Dyer 
"William  Crafts 
Andrew  Townsend  Jur. 
William  Todd 
Were  Chose  Fence  Viewers  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

[200.]  Messrs.  William  Billings 

Thomas  Bradley 
Jacob  Holland 
Nathan  Green 
were  Chose  sealers  of  Leather  for  the  year  Ensuing  — 

The  Selectmen  were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  high  ways  for  the 
Year  Ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  William  McNeil 

Jeffery  Richardson 
were  chose  surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  year  Ensuing 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 
was  chose  an  informer  of  Deer,  for  the  year  Ensuing — r 

Messrs.  George  Hamlin 
Francis  Booth 
James  Wheeler 
were  chose  Haywards  for  the  Ensuing  Year  — 

Messrs.  Geoige  Hamlin 
Francis  Booth 
were  chose  Hogreeves  for  the  year  Ensuing  — 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Edward  Tuckerman  Esqr. 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  Wheat  for  the  year  Ensuing  — 

Messrs :  Thomas  Green 
John  Skinner 

were  Chose  Assay  masters  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

[201.]  Messrs :  John  Ballard 

Thomas  Uran 
William  Cunningham 
Edward  Welds 
were  chose  sealers  of  Wood  for  the  year  ensuing 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  249 

Mr.  Joseph  Peirce  declines 
Serving  as  A  Selectman,  Moved  and  — 

Voted.  That  the  Choice  of  Three  Selectmen  in  the  room  of 
those  who  have  declined  Serving  be  referred  over  to  the  Adjourn- 
ment— 

Voted.  That  five  per  Cent  be  and  hereby  is  allowed  to  the 
Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing,  for  all  such  Sums  of 
Money  and  Public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect,  and  Pay  into 
the  Several  Treasuries,  of  the  Sums  Committed  to  them  to  Col- 
lect ;  Also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  Sufficient 
Sureties,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  dis- 
charge of  their  Duty  in  Said  Office,  and  Complying  with  this 
Vote  —  and  that  they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gratuity 
for  discounting  any  orders,  Notes  or  receipts,  from  the  Treasurer 
of  this  State,  or  The  Treasurer  of  this  Town, 

Messrs :  Benja.  Henderson 
James  Thompson 
Thomas  Bayley 
Charles  Williams 
[202.]  Were  Chose  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing 

The  Assessors  Return  of  the  State  of  Collectors  debts,  being 
Previously  read  — 

moved  &  Voted.  That  the  Choice  of  Surveyors  of  Boards  be 
referred  to  the  Adjournment  As  also  those  of  Collectors  of  Staves  ; 
and  that  the  Choice  of  those  officers  shall  Commence  at  12. 
O'Clock  A:  M.— 

The  Inhabitants    as    directed  Brought  in  their  Votes  for  12 
Constables.     When  It  Appeared  That  — 
Messrs :  Shubael  Hewes 

Samuel  Whitney 

Benjamin  Homans 

John  Bosson 

John  Cades 

John  Butterfield 

James  Perkins 

Henry  Crumston 

Abner  Rumrill 

Edward  Went  worth 

Andrew  Townsend 

Samuel  White 
Were  chose  Constables,  for  the  Ensuing  Year  — 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  The  30th.  of  March  Instant  10. 
O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 


250  City  Document. 

[203.]  Wednesday  10.  O'Clock  A:M:  Met  according  to 
Adjournment 

Mr.  Charles  Williams  Chosen  a  Collector  of  Taxes  having  de- 
clined the  present  year  — 

on  Motion.  Voted,  That  the  Choice  of  another  Collector  be 
referred  over  to  May  Meeting 

The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for  Three  Select- 
men and  the  Votes  being  counted.  It  appeared  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  viz*. 

Mr.  Samuel  Salisbury 

Mr.  William  Little 

Mr.  Samuel  Cabot 
were  Chosen  Selectmen  in  place  of  the  Three  Gentlemen,  who 
had  declined  Serving.  — 

Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes  having  excused  himself  from  Serving  as  A 
fireward  the  Present  Year  Ensuing  —  Voted  That  thanks  of  the 
Town  be  and  hereby  are  given  unto  Mr.  Jacob  Rhodes  for  his 
faithful  Services  as  A  Fireward  for  A  Number  of  Years  Past.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  and  Counted,  it  appeared  Mr.  Samuel 
Whitwell  —  was  Chosen  A  Fireward  for  the  Ensuing  Year.  — 

Messrs.  Daniel  Austin 

Arnold  Wells  Junr. 
Were  Chose  Clerks  of  the  market  for  the  ensuing  year 

[204.]  The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  the  State  of 
the  Market  and  what  Measures  would  be  most  Advisable  for  the 
Town  to  Adopt  respecting  the  same  — 

Report,  That  it  is  expedient  that  all  the  Stalls  without  the 
House  be  Marked  and  Numbered,  and  that  the  Selectmen  Affix 
A  Monthly  Price  to  Each,  as  well  as  to  any  future  ones  that  may 
be  established.  That  the  Selectmen  immediately  publish  Pro- 
posals for  farming  out  the  whole  Of  the  Market,  the  Stalls  within 
the  House  Excepted,  in  the  Centinel  for  Three  Weeks  Succes- 
sively to  the  highest  bidder  being  an  inhabitant  of  this  town,  who 
shall  deliver  in  his  terms  in  writing  to  the  Selectmen  for  one 
Year  from  the  time  of  executing  the  Contract,  and  on  The  fol- 
lowing Conditions.  — 

1st.  To  Give  bond  with  sufficient  Security  to  the  acceptance 
of  the  Selectmen  for  fullfilment  of  his  Contract 

2d.     The  Rent  to  be  paid  Quarterly.  — 

3d.     To  Observe  Such  regulations  and  Directions  of  the  Select- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  251 

men,  as  they  shall  Establish  from  time  to  time  During  the  Ex- 
istence of  the  Lease  respecting  Transient  Persons,  Selling  Meat 
&  Vegetables  — 

[205.]  4th.  In  no  Case  to  demand  more  from  the  Holders 
of  the  Stalls  than  the  price  affixed  upon  them  by  the  Selectmen 
at  the  time  of  making  the  Contract.  — 

5th.  That  all  Dirt  shall  be  removed  from  all  parts  of  the 
Market.  Every  day  before  Nine  O'Clock  at  Night.  The  Con- 
tractor to  have  the  sole  right  to  the  same.  — 

6th.  The  Contractor  to  Engage  as  far  as  lies  within  his  Power 
to  Prevent  all  forestalling 

7th.  That  the  Contractor  shall  Constantly  keep  in  some  suit- 
able Place  where  the  Selectmen  shall  direct  A  standard  of  Weights 
and  Measures  for  the  Accommodation  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  Sufficient  to  weigh  to  the  amount  of  Fifty  Pounds  Also 
That  the  Selectmen  or  a  Major  Part  of  Them,  be  and  they  hereby 
are  Authorized  to  Prosecute  for  all  breaches  of  the  Condition  of 
the  Bond,  mentioned  in  this  Report,  and  are  authorized  to  appear 
in  all  Courts  of  Law  to  represent  the  Town  on  any  Suits  they  may 
think  Necessary  to  institute  thereon  And  are  also  Authorized  to 
dispense  with  all  breaches  of  the  Condition  of  said  Bonds,  as 
shall  in  their  discretion  be  entitled  to  that  indulgence  —  was  read 
and  Considered  — 

[206.]  Whereupon  the  Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether 
this  report  as  now  Amended  be  received  And  Accepted  by  the 
Town  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

The  Committee  directed  by  the  Town  at  A  former  Meeting  of 
the  Inhabitants  to  take  into  Consideration  the  expediency  of  pro- 
viding A  more  Suitable  Place  for  the  reception  and  Convenience 
of  the  Poor  —  Have  diligently  Attended  to  this  service  together 
with  A  Proposition  of  A  respectable  Citizen  upon  the  Same  Sub- 
ject beg  Leave  to  Submit  the  following  report.  — 

They  are  Unanimously  of  Opinion  from  the  Number  of  Sick 
and  others,  who,  of  Late,  have  been  provided  for  in  the  Alms- 
house, as  well  as  from  its  Situation  which  your  Committee  Con- 
ceive is  very  ineligible,  that  it  must  be  soon  expedient  if  not 
indispensably  requisite,  to  Procure  other  buildings  for  their  better 
accommodation ;  but,  your  Committee  think  at  the  Same  time, 
that  the  Completion  of  this  business  must  be  deferred  to  A 
future  meeting,  as  the  measures  hitherto  Proposed  for  this  Pur- 
pose imply  A  Necessity  for  an  Additional  debt  on  the  Town,  Or 
an  augmentation  of  Taxes,  Neither  of  which  your  Committee  can 
recommend.  — 


252  City  Document. 

[207.]  In  Addition  to  these  reasons  for  delay,  they  have 
thought  proper  to  mention  another  circumstance  to  the  Town 
which  has  had  no  little  influence  in  deciding  their  Sentiments  on 
this  Point 

The  Inhabitants  well  know  that  all  the  standing  Laws  of  the 
Government  arising  from  that  Spirit  of  humanity  which  has  in- 
variably directed  our  public  proceedings  on  this  Subject,  all 
strangers  —  destitute  of  the  means  of  Support  have  been  hitherto 
Maintained  at  the  Expence  of  the.  Commonwealth  in  the  same 
manner  with  the  Poor  of  the  Towns,  who  by  every  tie  of  birth 
and  consanguinity  are  entitled  to  our  Aid  and  benevolence  — 

The  propriety  of  this  Practise  has  been  Confirmed  by  imme- 
morial usage  in  this  Government,  but  an  opinion  having  arisen 
that  the  Support  of  those  who  are  distinguished  as  the  Poor 
of  the  State,  might  be  rendered  Less  expensive  by  A  new  ar- 
rangement, A  Scheme  has  been  Projected  to  have  this  Concern 
referred  to  the  care  of  Individuals,  which  has  been  always  Com- 
mitted to  Bodies  Corporate  in  this  Country  from  its  earliest  set- 
tlement to  the  present  moment.  This  business  on  its  examination 
has  determined  your  Committee  to  Suggest  to  the  Town  [208.] 
The  Propriety  of  having  it  Conducted  in  future  on  New  Principles 
—  in  order  to  this  they  recommend  the  Choosing  A  Committee  to 
be  Specially  impowered  to  Negotiate  and  Conclude  A  Contract 
with  the  Government  for  the  Support  of  the  Poor  of  the  State  for 
a  given  time  —  The  final  Adjustment  of  this  business  with  the 
Government  must  have  A  great  influence  in  directing  the  Sense 
of  the  Town  On  the  Subject  under  their  Present  Consideration  ; 
As  it  must  be  Obvious  that  the  Poor  of  the  State  are  to  be  removed 
from  this  Town.  The  Necessity  of  Erecting  New  buildings  would 
be  less  urgent  than  at  Present  —  But  if  they  are  to  be  Continued 
by  Virtue  of  A  Contract  with  the  Government  This  must  operate 
as  A  Strong  Motive  to  Carry  the  Plan  of  Erecting  another  House 
into  a  speedy  Effect.  —  Perhaps  A  Sale  of  the  Present  Almshouse, 
Workhouse.  &  Granai'y  together  with  such  Donations  as  might  be 
made  by  the  opulent  Citizens,  would  lessen  the  burthen  Necessary 
to  be  Laid  on  the  Town  when  this  business  shall  require  imme- 
diate Execution.  — 

The  Committee  ask  leave  to  Sit  again,  That  if  Practicable,  fur- 
ther measures  may  be  devised  [209.]  To  facilitate  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  object  and  they  beg  leave  to  observe  that  they 
are  fully  impressed  with  a  due  sense  of  the  purity  of  the  motive 
which  Originated  the  Proposal  referred  to  in  the  former  part  of 
this  report,  Although  they  cannot  recommend  it  to  the  Town  for 
their  acceptance  — 

all  which  is  submitted, 

Thomas  Dawes  ^  ordr. 

The  foregoing  report  having  been  Considered.  The  Question 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  253 

was  put  whether  the  same  shall  be  Accepted  —  Passed  in  the 
Affirmative 

The  Committee  relative  to  Hackney  Coaches.  —  Reported, 
whereupon  Moved  that  the  further  Consideration  of  this  report 
be  referred  to  May  Meeting 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

3  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  one  selectman  and  the  same  being  brought  in  &  Counted 
it  appeared  that  Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch  was  Chosen  Unanimously  — 

[210.]  The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  one  Constable,  it  ap- 
peared that 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Henchman  was  Chosen  A  Constable  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

On  Motion  Voted  to  Consider  the  Vote  for  Choosing  Twelve 
Cullers  of  Staves 

The  Votes  brought  in  for  12  Surveyors  of  Boards  and  Shingles 
it  appeared  that  only  Ten  were  Chosen  —  Viz*. 

Messrs.  John  Champney 
Samuel  Dyer 
Benjamin  Page 
James  Rogers 
Abraham  Hayward 
Benjamin  White 
Daniel  Ingersol  Junr. 
James  Blake 
James  Robins 
Hopestill  Capen 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Voted  That  the  Choice  of  the  other  two,  be  referred  to  May 

Meeting  — 

[211.]     The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  14  Cullers  of  Staves 
and  Hoops  it  appeared  that  the  13  following  Persons  —  Viz*. 
Messrs.  Henry  Purket 
Joseph  Loring 
William  Parkman 
James  Barry 
Arthur  Langford 
Edward  Burt 
Edmund  Dolbear 


254  •  City  Document. 

Joseph  Basset 
David  Marston 
Thomas  Barber 
Isaac  Smith 
Thomas  Foster 
Jonathan  dishing 
Were  Chosen  Cullers  of  Hoops  and  Staves  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  A  Collector  of  Taxes  it  ap- 
peared that 

Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard 
was  Chosen  A  Collector  of  Taxes  —  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Article  relative  to  Doctr.  Franklins  donation  read.  On  Motion, 
Voted  that  the  further  Consideration  —  Subside.  — 

[212.]  Voted,  that  all  matters  and  things  Unfinished  be  re- 
ferred over  to  May  Meeting  — 

Voted  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  Moderator  for  his 
good  Services,  in  forwarding  the  business  of  the  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[213.]  At,  A  Meeting  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  Twenty  one  years  of  age,  and  appeared  qualified  as 
the  Constitution  prescribes  legally  warned  in  public  Town  meet- 
ing Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  4th  day  of  April 
Anno  Domini  1791. — 

The  meeting  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Reverend  Mr. 
Clark  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  read 

Paragraphs  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Government,  rela- 
tive to  the  choice  of  Governor  Lieu*.  Governor  and  Senators 
-     -     -     -     read 

It  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  That  no  Vote  would  be  re- 
ceived but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  purpose  the  Poll 
should  be  Closed  at  half  past  12  0' Clock  and  the  Votes  received 
at  the  Table  — 

It  was  Ordered  by  the  Selectmen,  that  the  Bell  be  tolled  at  12. 
O'Clock.  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  255 

[214.]     Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  wth  The  Number  of 

Votes  for  Each  Person Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esq1. 543 

Honorable  Francis  Dana  Esq1. 80 

Honble  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 

Honble  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 

Honble  Azor  Orne  Esqr. 

Mr.  Andrew  Oliver 

Mr.  Christopher  Clark 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieu*.  Governor  —  with  the  number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person     -     -     -     Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 540 

Honble.  Samuel  Phillips  Esqr. 26 

Honble.  Thos.  Russell  Esqr. 57 

Honble.  Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr. 1 

Honble.  Azor  Orne  Esq1. 3 

Mr.  John  Kneeland 2 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  with 
the  Number  of  Votes  for  Each  person Viz*. 

Votes 

Honble.  William  Phillips  Esqr. 621 

Honble.  Cotton  Tufts  Esqr. 630 

Honble.  Stephen  Metcalf  Esqr. 625 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes,  Esqr. 627 

Honble.  Benjamin  Austin,  Jur.  Esqr.       -     -     -  469 

[215.]       Honorable  William  Heath  Esq1'. 469 

James  Bowdoin  Esq1.       ...     -  156 
Jonathan  Mason  Esq1'.     -     -     -     -  151 

Honble.  Richard  Cranch  Esqr. 2 

Honble.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 26 

Honble.  Stepn.  Higginson  Esqr. 2 

Honble.  Caleb  Davis  -     -  Esqr. 1 

John  Read  Esqr. 3 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1. 3 

Ebenezer  Thayer  Jur.  Esq1'.  -     -     -     -       1 

Attested  Copies  of  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Lieu*  Gov- 
ernor, and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  Committed  to 
the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  and  the  Inclosures  sealed 
Up  in  Town  Meeting,  Superscribed  as  follows    -     -     -     -     Viz*. 
For  John  Avery  Esqr. 
Secretary  for  the  Commonwealth 
Of  Massachusetts  — 

The  Number  of  Votes,  for  The  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Gover- 


256  City  Document. 

nor,  Lieu*.  Governor,  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk, Certified  with  and  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[216.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  Warned  in 
Public  Town  Meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the 
10th  day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1791  —  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Eliot  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

That  part  of  the  Constitution,  or  frame  of  Goverment  which 
relates  to  the  Choice  of  representatives read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  Said  meeting  —  were  accordingly 
- -     -     -     -     -     read 


The  Town  having  determined  to  choose  seven  persons  to  repre- 
sent them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to  be  held  in 
the  state  .House  —  in  Boston  on  the  last  Wednesday  of  May  Cur- 
rent Agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Goverment  for 
the  Massachusets  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw 
and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Seven  Representatives.  And  then 
it  was  declared  [217.]  By  the-  Selectmen.  That  no  Votes  would 
be  received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  intend  the 
Poll  shall  be  Closed  at  half  past  12.  O'Clock.  —Bell  to  toll  A  little 
before  that  time. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives.  The 
Number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  four  hundred  and  Seventy 
Nine,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that  the  following  Gen- 
tlemen were  Chosen  by  A  Majority  of  Votes  -----     Viz*. 

Votes 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 348 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 478 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 473 

Jonathan  Mason  Esq1'. 472 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 471 

William  Eustis  Esqr. -     -  472 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esq1". 472 

The  Choice  of  Representatives  being  Over  it  was  Moved  and 
Voted,  that  the  Town  Now  Come  to  the  Choice  of  a  Moderator 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  257 

by  A  hand  Vote  in  order  to  transact  the  other  business  mentioned 
in  the  Warrant.  — 

The  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Moderator 
accordingly  — 

[218.]  On  Motion  Voted  That  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  be  As- 
signed for  the  Choice  of  County  Register — and  that  the  Poll  be 
Closed  at  5.  O'Clock 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  : 

3  O'Clock  P :  M  :     Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

Messrs.  Joshua  Bently 
Edward  Ranger 
were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Voted,  that  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Com- 
mittee to  Count  the  Votes  That  shall  be  brought  in  for  A  County 
Register  — 

Votes  for  A  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
brought  in  and  Counted  by  the  Selectmen.  (A  Committee 
chosen  for  that  Purpose)  When  it  appeared  that  the  whole 
Number  was  Eight  hundred  and  Thirty  four,  and  that  they  were 
for  the  following  Persons  ----- Viz1. 

Votes 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esq1 . 151 

Samuel  Barrett  Esq1'. ---185 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esq. 113 

Mr.  Henry  Alline    ---------     385 

The  above  being  discreet  suitable  Persons  and  freeholders  and 
Residents  in  said  County  — 

Attest  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk 

[219.]  Memorandum.  An  Attested  Copy  hereof  was  given 
to  Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  directed  as  follows. 
—  Boston,  Number  of  Votes  for  A  Register  of  Deeds.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Audit  the  accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasury  and  Examine  the  draughts  of  the  Selectmen  &  Over- 
seers —  Report 

That  the  Treasurers  Accompts  are  right  cast  and  well  Vouched 
and  we  find  by  the  accots  Now  rendered  A  balance  in  favour  of  the 
Town  £9119  ,,  17  ,,  11^  The  General  State  of  the  Treasury  is 
as  follows Viz*.     -     -     Dr. 


258  City  Document. 

Due  to  the  Town  from  Several  Collectors  March  1st.  1791 

Charles  Williams  for  1789  Tax £1944  ,,  12  ,,    4}£ 

Do.  1790-     -------       1433,,  —  ,,    8)4 

3377  „  13  „    1 
James  Thompson  for  1789  Tax    -    -    819  ,.  12  ,,  10 

1790  do.       -    -  1587  „    5      11J£ 

2406,,  18  „    9% 

Thomas  Bay  ley  -    -     1789  -    -    -    -    614  „    6  „    4^ 
1790  .     .    .    .  1421  „  19  =      % 

: 2063,,    6„    1. 

Benjam11.  Henderson  1789  -    -     -    -    329  ,,  10  ,,    2% 
1790  ...    -  1536,,  11  ,,    7 

1866,,    1„    9^ 

From  the  Commonwealth    ----------     10503  ,,    2  ,,    8 

Town  Powder     --------     £312  „  11  ,,    8 

Several  Small  Notes  ------------  35  ,,  10  ,,    8 

£20252  „  13  ,,  1 

[230.]  Sum  brought  over  £20252  „  13  „     1 

Sundry  balances  from  A  Number  of  People  out  of  )  -in-ta      1 .         ... 

which  the  Committee  Think  £1300  -    -    bad    -    -J  i'1""I*r>    4/t 

From  Several  Persons  for  Rents  --------  317,,    2, ,9 

Estate  of  David  Jeffries  -----------  30,, 

Old  Paper  Money  funded    ----------  411  ,,    1  ,,    8 

Cash  in  the  Treasury      -    -    - --  189,,  16,,    3 

£22917,,    8„    1% 
Due  from  the  Town  as  follows    -     -  Viz*. 

Sundry  Small  balances  -     -    -     £393  „  19  „    1% 
To  the  Estate  of  Sam1.  Partridge  710  „  14  ,,    9>| 

Matthew  Nazro 168,,    8,,    3)f 

Samuel  Whitwell      -    -     -    -  37  „    7 ,,    6>| 

Due  on  Selectmens  drafts    -    -    -        478  ,,    9  ,,    5 

Overseers     -------  78  „    9  ,,  10>£ 

William  Cooper    -----  54  ,,  15  ,,    9 

John  Vinal  -------        176  ,,  15  „    %% 

Notes  on  Interest  -----    12532  „    4  „    4>| 
Interest  due  to  March  Compounded    2118  ,,  10  ,,  10 

£16749  „  15  ,,  10 

Probable  deductions.  Viz*. 

Suppose  bad  Debts  ------     £1300  ,, 

part  of  Rents     -------  150  ,, 

abatemts.  on  Tax  1790  -----         900  „ 

Collectrs.  &  Assessors  pay    -     -    -         700  ,, -     -    3050  ,, 

19799  „  15  ,,  10 
Balance    -    -    -    -    3117  ,,  12  ,,    %% 

[221.]  Your  Committee  having  Examined  the  State  of  Town 
Treasury  find  A  balance  in  favour  of  the  Town  on  the  first  day  of 
March  last  of  £3117  „  12  „  3  }£  Provided  all  the  Outstanding 
taxes  are  paid,  and  the  other  debtors  of  the  Town  pay  their  bal- 
ances due.  Your  Committee  beg  Leave  further  to  Report,  that 
the  Annual  draught  of  the  Overseers  and  Selectmen  for  Several 
Years  past  have  been  £7000  —  And  that  the  Present  Year  there 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  259 

are  Several  New  Peices  of  Pavements,  And  A  New  School  house 
Petitioned  for,  which  if  Completed  will  make  the  Current  expences 
exceed  the  former  sunn,  And  as  the  Taxes  from  the  Collectors 
cannot  be  Collected  for  Sometime,  and  the  Last  year  having 
Proved  to  the  Town  The  Necessity  of  having  money  in  the 
Treasury  (as  all  the  Towns  expences  by  having  Money  to  pay 
on  demand  are  made  at  Twenty  five  per  Cent  less  then  they  have 
heretofore  been  on  Credit)  Your  Committee  are  therefore  of 
opinion  that  the  Town  will  make  A  Saving  by  raising  A  Tax  of 
Ten  thousand  Pounds,  which  will  enable  the  Town  to  pay  their 
Notes,  and  Prevent  not  only  Compound  interest  which  they  have 
long  been  subject  to.  but  put  them  out  of  debt  and  enable  them 
to  go  to  Market,  with  ready  money  — 

Thomas  Dawes  ^  order 

['422.]  The  aforegoing  Keport  having  been  read  and  con- 
sidered, The  Town  came  into  the  following  resolutions  -  -  -  Viz*. 

Whereas  at  A  Legal  Town  Meeting  the  10th  March  1783.  The 
following  Vote  was  Passed     -     -     -     Viz*. 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  impowered  and  directed 
to  allow  the  Several  Creditors  of  the  Town,  who  have  lent  money 
to  the  Town,  Interest  and  Compound  Interest  on  the  Moneys 
Lent  — 

And  it  being  found  very  detrimental  to  the  Interest  of  the 
Town  that  the  said  Vote  should  continue  any  longer  in  force  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  and  he  is  hereby  Author- 
ized and  directed  to  pay  £2118  ,,  10  ,,  10  Out  of  the  moneys 
arising  from  the  Warrant  in  his  hands  On  the  Treasurer  of  the 
Commonwealth  to  the  Several  Creditors  who  shall  receive  Interest 
&  Compound  Interest  from  March  10th.  1783  to  March  1st  1791  — 

Voted,  That  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  march  1791.  Com- 
pound Interest  shall  cease  to  be  allowed  the  Creditors  of  The 
Town.  — 

[223.]  And  Whereas  it  further  appears  that  the  Sum  of 
£12532  ,,  4  ,,  4^  principal  will  remain  due  to  the  Several  Credi- 
tors who  are  Possessed  of  Due  bills  from  the  Late  and  Present 
Treasurer,  and  there  being  A  balance  of  £1381  ,,  9  ,,  2.  from  the 
Warrant  on  the  State  Treasurer  after  the  said  sum  of  £2118  ,,  10 
,,  6  is  paid  for  Interest  and  Compound  Interest  on  the  Prin- 
cipal aforesaid,  Also  the  Sum  of  £10000  —  being  in  the  hands 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  which  he  has  received  from  the  State 
Treasury  for  the  Support  of  the  State  poor,  carrying  Interest 
from  Janry.  1st.  1791.  Which  is  to  be  paid  by  Instalments  from 
all  the  Taxes  due  to  the  Commonwealth  prior  to  Tax  N°.  8.  not 


260  City  Document. 

appropriated  agreeable  to  A  resolve  of  the  General  Court  passed 
February  21st.  1791.  These  two  Sums  with  the  further  Sum  of 
£1250  ,,  15  ,,  2^  which  it  is  presumed  will  be  immediately  Col- 
lected from  the  1789  Tax  will  be  sufficient  to  discharge  the  afore- 
said Debts  of  £12532  ,,  4  ,,  4^  thereof  —  Voted,  That  the  balance 
of  £1381  ,,  9  ,,  2  and  the  £10000— in  Treasury  Notes  and  the 
further  sum  of  £1250  ,,  15  ,,  2y2  aforementioned  be  and  hereby 
is  appropriated  to  discharge  the  said  debt  of  £12532  ,,  4  ,,  A% 
and  the  Treasurer  is  hereby  directed  to  govern  himself  Accord- 
ingly, and  upon  no  Occasion  or  demand  [324.]  Whatsoever  to 
Apply  any  part  of  the  Sum  so  appropriated  to  any  other  Purpose 
—  also 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be,  &  he  is  hereby  Authorised  and 
directed  to  pay  to  the  Creditors  by  Instalments  as  he  receives  the 
Moneys  due  from  the  State  in  Proportion  to  their  Several  de- 
mands—  Provided  however,  that  if  any  of  the  Creditors^  of  the 
Town  be  desirous  of  receiving  the  State  Treasurers  Notes  on 
Interest  in  the  hands  of  the  Town  Treasurer  in  Payment  for  their 
Notes  or  due  bills,  or  parts  of  them  bearing  Interest,  he  is  hereby 
Authorised  to  pay  the  Same  in  sd.  notes 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  Eight  Thousand  Pounds,  be  raised  by 
A  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls,  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Town  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year  — 

Adjourned  to  Morrow  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Wednesday  the  11th.  May.  10.  O'Clock  Met  According  to 
Adjournment 

[225.]     The  Article  in  the  Warrant Viz*. 

To  Choose  and  Authorise  A  Committee  to  Contract  with  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  the  Support  of  the  State's  Poor  read  and  Con- 
sidered —  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That.  Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esq1'. 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

William  Eustis  Esq1'. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esq1. 
Be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  fully  Authorised  and 
impowered  to  Contract  in  behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  with  the  Gen- 
eral Court  for  the  Support  of  the  States  Poor,  for  such  A  Term 
and  in  such  A  manner  as  they  shall  think  meet  — 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  once  in  Every  Month  lay  be- 
fore the  Selectmen  the  Several  Sums  of  Money  which  he  has 
received  from  the  Collectors  Individually  and  the  Expenditures 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  261 

of  the  said  Monies  in  order  that  the  Selectmen  may  more  readily 
be  Acquainted  with  the  money  matters  of  the  Town  — 

[226.]  Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  and  hereby  is 
Authorized  upon  any  extraordinary  emergency  to  borrow  on  the 
Credit  of  the  Town  any  Sum  not  exceeding  five  hundred  Pounds 
Allowing  Lawfull  Interest  for  the  Same,  the  Sum  So  borrowed  to 
be  repaid  as  soon  as  may  be  from  the  Tax  of  1790 

Upon  A  Petition  of  A  Number  of  Inhabitants  of  this  Town. 
Setting  forth  the  Necessity  of  A  New  School  being  Erected  at 
the  North  part  of  the  Town  — 

Voted,  that  the  Prayer  of  said  Petition  be  Complied  with,  and 
that  the  School  Committee  be  Authorised  &  desired  to  Cause  A 
New  School  house  to  be  Erected  of  such  dimensions  and  in  Such 
manner  as  will  in  their  Judgement,  with  the  Least  Expence  to  the 
Town,  best  Answer  the  Views  of  the  Petitioners.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  Directed  to  retain  the  Six 
per  Cent  &  Three  per  Cent  funded  Certificates  in  hand  the  Prop- 
erty of  the  Town  Unless  he  can  discharge  any  of  the  Towns  Debts 
bearing  Interest,  at  the  rates  of  Twenty  Shillings  on  the  Pound 
for  the  Six  per  Cent,  and  ten  Shillings  for  the  Three  per  Cent, 
inclusive  with  the  Interest  due  upon  them 

Adjourned  to  4.  O' Clock  P  :  M  : 

[227.]     3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  :    Met  according  to  Adjournment 

Voted,  That,  Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Hon0.  Step11.  Higginson  Esqr. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
Be  A  Committee  to  devise  A  Plan  to  facilitate  and  Secure  the 
Punctual  Collections  of  the  Taxes  of  this  Town  and  to  Report  to 
the  Town  at  the  Next  meeting 

The  Inhabitants  as  directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for  Three 

Cullers  of  Dry  Fish  —  When  it  appeared.  That 

Mr.  John  McFarland 
Captn.  Roger  Bartlet 
Captn.  Joseph  Doble 

Were  Chosen  Cullers  of  Dry  fish  the  year  Ensuing 

Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Mr.  Allexander  Hill,  Reported, 
and  the  meeting  being  thin 

Voted  that  the  Consideration  thereof  be  referred  to  the  Next 


262  City  Document. 

G-eneral  Town  Meeting,  and  to  be  inserted  the  first  Article  in  the 
Warrant  for  calling  the  same.  — 

[228.]  Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  Which  remain 
Unfinished  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting 
that  may  be  Called  — 

Voted,  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  The  Honorable  Thomas 
Dawes  Moderator  for  his  good  Services  in  dispatching  the  busi- 
ness of  the  Meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 

[239.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legaly"  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday 
the  4th  clay  of  July  Anno  Domini  1791  9.  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting     -     -     -     read 

William  Cooper 
was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote 

The  Committee  Appointed  the  Last  year  to  make  Choice  of  A 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  On  the  Anniversary  of  Inde- 
pendence — 

Reported,  That  they  had  made  Choice  of  Thomas  Crafts  Esq1'. 
to  deliver  an  Oration  this  day  Agreeable  to  A  Late  Vote  of  the 
Town  — 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old 
Brick  Church  12.  O'Clock  Liberty  having  been  Obtained,  there- 
for— 

Voted  That  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr.  Craft  with 
this  Vote.  — 

The  Meeting  was  then  Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Old  Brick 
Church  at  12.  O'Clock  this  clay  — 

[230.]  AN    ORATION 

To  Commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was 
delivered  by  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  at  the  old  Brick  Church — On 
Motion  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A 
Committee  to  Wait  on  Thorn8.  Crafts  Junr.  Esqr.  and  in  the 
name  of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the  Spirited  &  Elegant 
Oration  this  day  delivd.  by  him  at  the  request  of  the  Town,  upon 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  263 

the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  in  Which  According  to  the  Institution  of  the  Town  he 
considered  the  feelings,  manners  and  Principles  Which  led  to  that 
great  National  Event  —  and  to  Request  of  him  A  Copy  thereof 
for  the  Press  — 

On  motion  Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen.  Be  and 
hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  To  Apply  to  some  one  learned 
and  able  Gentleman  to  Deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th  of  July 
Anno  Dom'  1792  That  day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America ;  Wherein  the  Orator 
is  to  consider  the  feelings,  manners  and  Principles  —  Which  led 
to  this  great  national  event;  [231.]  as  well  as  the  Important 
and  happy  Effects,  whether  General  or  Domestic  which  have 
already,  and  will  forever  continue  to  flow  from  that  auspicious 
Epoch.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


i\tA  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting.  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Wednesday  the 
13th  day  Anno  Domini  1791.  10.  O' Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting     -     -     -     read 

The  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  Was  Chosen  Moderator 
by  A  Hand  Vote  — 

Voted,  That  the  Poll  for  Choice  of  A  County  Register  be 
Closed  at  half  past  Twelve  O 'Clock. — 

[232.]  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby,  are  ap- 
pointed A  Committee  to  Count  the  Votes  that  shall  be  brought  in 
for  the  Choice  of  A  County  register 

Votes,  for  A  County  Register  Of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suf- 
folk brought  in  &  Counted  by  the  Selectmen  A  Committee  Chosen 
for  that  Purpose  When  it  appeared  that  the  whole  Number  was 
Eight  hundred  and  Seventy  Three,  and  that  they  were  for  the 
following  Persons. Viz*. 

Votes 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esqr.     -     -     r     -     -     -     -     -  121 

Samuel  Barrett  Esqr. 141 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. -  57 

Mr.  Henry  Allyne 554 

Attest  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk,  Mem0,  delivered  an 


264  City  Document. 

Attested  Copy  of  the  above  to  Ezek1.  Price  Esqr.  Clerk  of  the 
Sessions  — 

A  Yote  Inclos'd  in  A  Paper  was  Sent  in  by  Coll-  Tudor  And  the 
Question  being  put,  Whether  any  Vote  shall  be  brought  in  by 
Proxy,  it  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Boston, 
Number  of  Votes  for  A  Register  of  Deeds  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 

[233.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednes- 
day the  10th  day  of  Aug*.    1791.  11  O 'Clock  a :  m 

Warrant  for  Calling  A  Meeting     -     -     -     -     read  — 

The  Hon^l£  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  on  Motion  was  Chosen  Mod- 
erator by  A  hand  Vote 

Voted,  That  the  Poll  for  Choice  of  A  County  Register,  be 
Closed  at  one  O'Clock.  P  :  M  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A 
Committee  to  count  the  votes  that  shall  be  brought  in  for  A 
County  Register  — 

Votes,  for  A  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
brought  in  &  Counted  by  the  Selectmen  (A  Committee  Chosen 
for  that  Purpose)  When  it  Appeared  that  the  whole  Number  was 
one  thousand  &  one,  and  that  they  were  for  the  following  Per- 
sons —  Viz*. 

Votes 

Joshua  Henshaw  Esqr. 63 

Samuel  Barrett  Esqr. 57 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esq1.      -- 56 

Mr.  Henry  Alline 825 


1001 


Att.  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk  Mem0,  delivered 

an  Attested  Copy  of  the  above,  to  Ezek1.  Price  Esq1'.  Clerk  of  the 
Sessions,  to  be  by  him  delivered  to  the  Court  of  Sessions.  Directed 
Boston  Numl/.  [of  votes]  for  A  County  Register. 

Then  the  Meeting,  was  Dissolved.  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  265 

[234.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  dully  qualified  and  legally  warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  "Wednes- 
day the  26th.  day  of  October  A.D.  1791.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read 

The  Hon^l  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand 
Vote.— 

The  Article  of  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
read,  Also  the  Petition  of  Moses  Fuller  &  others,  to  the  General 
Court,  a  Copy  of  which  has  been  transmitted  to  the  Town  Clerk, 
by  their  order,  —  and  laid  before  the  Town,  read,  Whereupon  — 
Voted,  That  the  Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
Honble.  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Caleb  Davis  Esq1, 
be  A  Committee  to  take  this  matter  into  Consideration  and  report 
such  measures  as  they  may  Judge  to  be  expedient  on  the  occasion 
Sent 

The  two  articles  in  the  Warrant  -  -  -  -  Viz*,  to  con- 
sider the  Expediency  of  Erecting  Stalls  in  the  Market  square,  for 
the  better  accommodation  of  the  market,  agreeable  to  A  Plan 
then  to  be  laid  before  the  Town  and  Whether  any  farther  regula- 
tions are  Necessary  to  be  made  respecting  the  market  Read. 
Whereupon.  Voted.  That  — 

[235.]     Voted  That  Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

Honble.  Stephin  Higginson  Esqr. 
Mr.  Charles  Bulflnch 
Mr.  Charles  Sigorney 
Mr.  William  Cooper 
Mr.  Oliver  Smith 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
be  A  Committee  to  take  these  Articles  into  consideration  and  to 
report  what  is  best  to  be  done  thereon  —  Sent 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Hills  Petition  —  read  and 
considered,  Whereupon  moved  and 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Hill  have  leave  to  Withdraw  his  Petition  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant — Viz*.  Whether  any  or  what 
measures  shall  be  taken  for  lighting  the  Lamps  the  ensuing 
Winter  —  read  —  Whereupon  —  Voted  That  this  matter  be  left  to 
the  consideration  of  the  Committee,  relative  to  the  Market  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  That  the  Sense  of  the  Town 


266  City  Document. 

may  be  taken,  relative  to  Admitting  A  Theatre  in  the  Town  and 
instruct  their  representatives,  to  endeavor  A  repeal  of  an  Act 
passed  July  1750.  Entitled  an  act  to  Prevent  Stage  Play,  and 
other  Theatrical  Entertainments  —  read,  and  after  debate,  Ad- 
journed to  —  4  —  O'Clock—  P  :  M  :  — 

[236.]     3  O'Clock.  P  :  M  :    Met  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Article  relative  to  A  Theatre  again  taken  up.  — 

On  motion,  the  question  was  put  Viz*.  That  the  Petitioners 
have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition  —  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 
it  was  then  moved  and  Voted.  That  — 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

James  Hughes  Esqr. 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 

Cap*.  James  Prince 

Samuel  Cabot  Esq1". 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  draw  up  Instructions  to  the  Gentlemen  who 
represent  this  Town  in  the  Gen1.  Court,  for  carrying  said  Article 
into  execution  and  to  report  the  same  at  the  Adjournment  —  Sent 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  the  9th.  day  of  November  Next,  10 
—  O'Clock.  A:M: 

Wednesday,  the  9th.  day  of  November  10.  O'Clock.  A  :  M  :  met 
according  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  relative  to  dividing  the  County  of  Suffolk,  on 
the  Petition  of  Moses  Fuller  and  others  to  the  General  Court 
have  leave  to  report  at  the  adjournment  of  this  meeting  — 

[237.]  The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  the  expedi- 
ency of  Erecting  Stalls  in  market  Square,  for  the  better  accom- 
modation of  the  market  agreeable  to  A  Plan  Presented" — And 
whether  any  further  regulations  of  the  Market  are  Necessary  — 
beg  leave  to  report.  That  with  respect  to  the  first  Article.  It  is 
their  unanimous  opinion.  That  the  same  be  carried  into  operation, 
and  that  the  selectmen  be  desired,  to  take  measures  to  complete 
the  same 

That  with  respect  to  the  other  Article  they  are  fully  of 
Opinion  that  the  Representatives  of  the  Town  in  General  Court 
be  instructed  to  use  their  influence  to  have  A  Law  Passed  at 
their  Next  sessions,  more  Effectualy  to  Provide  against  the 
growing  evil  of  forestalling  and  that  in  the  mean  time  the  Officers 
of  Police  in  this  Town  be  directed  to  Prosecute  those  who  shall 
be  guilty  of  Violating  the  Laws  against  Monopoly  and  forestalling 
as  they  Now  stand,  as  also  to  inspect  all  weights  and  measures 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  267 

made  use  of  in  the  market  and  Proceed  therein  as  the  Law  points 
out  &  directs  That  the  inhabitants  may  no  longer  suffer  by  the 
notorious  Practice  of  many  Sellers  in  making  use  of  illegal 
weights  and  measures  in  their  sales ;  And  that  they  make  the 
Selectmen  acquainted  with  the  Names  of  such  forestallers.  as  are 
suffered  to  improve  stalls,  for  dealing  out  their  monopolized 
Articles,  to  the  Inhabitants  at  Extravagant  rates,  with  the 
[238.]  further  mortification  that  these  gains  rest  not  with  the 
honest  farmer  but  in  the  hands  of  those  who  are  only  living  on 
the  Labours  of  the  industrious     Sent 

Charles  Jarvis 

The  aforegoing  Report  having  been  Considered  by  Paragraphs. 
The  Question  was  put  Whether  said  Report  shall  be  Accepted 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative     Sent  to  all  — 

The  Committee  to  Whom  were  refer'd  the  clause  in  the  Warrant 
as  to  whether  the  Town  will  take  any  &  what  measures  for  light- 
ing the  Lamps  the  Ensuing  Winter  — 

Report.  That  the  Number  of  Town  Lamps  is  not  Sufficient 
for  Lighting  the  Town  in  A  Proper  manner,  and  the  circum- 
stances of  the  Town  at  Present  will  not  allow  of  any  Expence  in 
Adding  to  their  Number  —  But  that  the  Committee  recommend 
that  when  A  number  of  Individuals  —  will  Engage  to  put  up  suf- 
ficient additional  Lamps  at  their  own  charge  and  Subscribe  to 
their  Support  and  when  Sufficient  monies  shall  be  raised  by  sub- 
scriptions to  Support  the  Town  Lamps  That  the  Selectmen  be 
directed  then  to  Contract  with  Some  Persons  to  light  &  keep  in 
order  the  Lamps  throughout  the  Town  — 

Charles  Jarvis 

[339.]  The  Aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  Con- 
sidered, the  question  was  put  Viz1,  whether  the  Report  be  Ac- 
cepted—  Passed  in  the  Affirmative.  —  Sent  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  draw  up  instructions  to  the  Gen- 
tlemen who  represent  this  Town  In  General  Court,  relative  to 
Admitting  A  Theatre  in  this  Town  —  Report  the  following 
draught 

To  the  Representatives  of  the  Town  of  Boston — 

Gentlemen,  At  A  very  full  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston  the  sense  of  your  Constituents  has  been 
taken  upon  A  Law  of  the  Legislature  Passed  in  the  year  1750 
Entitled  an  Act  to  Prevent  Stage  Plays,  and  other  Theatrical 
Entertainments"  —  And  After  a  lengthy  and  Deliberate  Debate, 
They  have  Determined  by  A  Very  Large  Majority,  that  the  Ex- 
istence of  that  Law  in  its  Present  unlimited  form  operates  as  an 


268  City  Document. 

undue  restraint  upon  the  liberty  of  the  Citizen  And  as  an  infringe- 
ment of  his  unalienable  right. 

They  Consider  the  right  to  relax  from  the  toils  of  Industry  & 
the  fatigues  of  Business  by  A  resort  to  any  rational  dfc  innocent 
amusement,  as  Constituting  no  inconsiderable  part  of  the  hap- 
piness of  Civil  Society  and  one  of  the  essential  [240.]  blessings 
confirmed  to  them  by  A  free  constitution  of  Government  — 

A  Theatre  where  the  Actions  of  great  &  Virtuous  Men  are 
represented  Under  every  possible  embellishment,  which  genius 
and  eloquence  can  give  will  not  only  afford  A  rational  and  in- 
nocent amusement,  but  essentially  Advance  the  interest  of  Public 
and  Private  virtue,  will  have  A  Tendency  to  Polish  the  Manners 
and  habits  ef  Society,  to  disseminate  the  Social  affections,  and  to 
improve  and  refine  the  literary  taste  of  our  rising  Republic  — 
Your  Constituents  therefore,  as  well  to  Promote  the  Public  benefits 
as  to  remove  Every  obstacle  to  the  enjoyment  of  their  Political 
rights,  instruct  and  enjoyn  you  at  the  Next  Session  of  the  Legis- 
lature to  move  for  and  to  use  your  utmost  endeavor,  until  you 
effect  A  repeal  of  the  Law  alluded  to.  so  far  at  least  as  respects 
the  Town  of  Boston  — 

By  Attending  to  the  objects  your  Constituents  have  in  View, 
you  will  readily  Perceive  —  That  they  are  as  opposed  to  the 
licentious  abuse  of  this  Valuable  Privilege,  as  to  the  Arbitrary  and 
Unnecessary  restraint  with  which  it  has  been  so  long  shackled  — 

They  Therefore  further  direct  you  to  endeavor  that  the  Law 
of  repeal  may  be  so — constructed,  that  no  dramatic  Composi- 
tions shall  be  the  subject  of  Theatrical  exhibition  until  they 
have  [241.]  Obtained  A  Sanction  from  some  Authority  to  be 
Appointed  for  that  Purpose  in  order  that  none  of  an  immoral 
impression  may  ever  disgrace  the  American  stage,  and  such  only 
be  presented  to  the  view  of  the  people  as  shall  be  calculated  to 
improve  their  taste,  to  mend  their  hearts,  and  to  Subserve  the 
great  and  beneficial  purposes  of  Public  and  Private  Virtue  —  By 
order  of  the  Committee 

Perez  Morton  Chairman 

The  foregoing  having  been  read  and  Considered.  The  Question 
was  put  Viz*.  Whether  the  Same  shall  be  accepted,  Passed  in  the 
affirmative  —  Sent 

Adjourned  to  the  Second  Wednesday  in  December,  10  0' Clock 
A  :  M  :  being  the  1 4th  — 

Wednesday  Decr.  14th.  10.  O'Clock  P :  M :  Met  according  to 
Adjournment.  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  of  Moses 
Fuller  and  others  to  the  General  Court  of  this  Commonwealth 
relative  to  A  Division  of  the  County  of  Suffolk.  — 

Reported  the  following  draft  of  A  Remonstrance  to  be  Pre- 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  269 

sented  to  the  General  Court  which  being  read  and  Considered. 
The  question  was  Put  Viz*.  Whether  the  said  Report  shall  be 
accepted.  Passed  in  the  affirmative  Unanimously  —  Sent 

[242.]     On  Motion  — Voted.  That  the 

Hon5l£  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 
Ezekiel  Price  Esq1. 
Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
HonSl?  Caleb  Davis  Esq1'. 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  are  appointed  Agents  in  behalf  of  the  Town,  and 
they  are  hereby  Authorized  and  directed  To  Sign  said  remon- 
strance &  Petn.  and  to  Present  and  Support  the  same  at  the  Gen- 
eral Court,  also  —  Sent 

Voted,  that  the  Representatives  of  the  Town  in  General  Court, 
be  and  hereby  are  instructed,  to  use  their  utmost  endeavors  that 
the  Petition  of  Moses  Fuller  and  others  to  the  General  Court  for 
A  Division  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  should  not  Obtain  And  That 
they  be  Served  with  A  Copy  of  this  Vote,  and  Of  said  Petition 
and  the  Aforesaid  remonstrance  of  the  Town.  —  Sent  — 

The  Remonstrance  is  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

To  the  Honorable  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts  — 

The  Petition  and  Remonstrance  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  — 

Most  humbly  Represents  — 
That  the  said  Inhabitants  being  favoured  by  your  Honrs  with  a 
Copy  of  A  Petition  of  several  Persons  in  behalf  of  the  Towns 
where  unto  they  respectively  belong  for  forming  [243.]  A  New 
County  by  the  Name  of  Union  out  of  the  County  of  Suffolk. 
And  having  duly  Considered  the  Same.  —  They  cannot  consist- 
ently with  the  regard  which  they  have  for  the  People  of  said 
County  as  well  as  to  the  state,  at  large,  if  they  should  refrain 
from  remonstrating  Against  the  Measure.  They  find  that  the  first 
Claim  for  A  Division  of  the  County  as  Expressed  in  the  Petition, 
Arises  from  delays  in  Tryals  in  the  Courts  and  The  great  ex- 
pences  Consequent  upon  them,  but  it  may  be  relied  on,  That 
those  Actions  which  are  merely  Maritime,  or  Arises  from  the 
Principals  of  Commerce  Incident  to  the  Town  of  Boston  are  very 
few  in  comparison  of  those  which  Originate  in  Wrongs  and  Con- 
tracts Equaly  Appertaining  to  the  Nature  of  Business  both  in 
Town  and  Country.  The  Number  of  Tryals  where  both  Parties 
are  Inhabitants  of  Boston,  bear  but  A  Small  Proportion  to  those 
where  one  or  both  Parties  are  Inhabitants  of  Other  Towns  in  the 
County  —  If  the  County  should  be  Divided  there  will  still  be 
Suits  Commenced  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the   Town  of   Boston, 


270  City  Document. 

against  the  Inhabitants  of  the  New  County,  and  by  the  Latter 
against  the  former  from  Whence  would  result  the  same  inconven- 
iency  as  is  now  complained  of  that  men  in  Town  and  County 
would  have  their  Cases  Tried  by  Jurors  not  Acquainted  With  the 
business  they  are  called  to  decide  upon,  But  very  small  Attention 
to  the  subject  will  shew  that  there  is  no  weight  in  the  Argument 
thus  used  in  the  Petition.  Because  [244.]  theLawof  the  Land  [is] 
alike  to  the  Persons  &  Property  of  all  the  People  in  the  Common- 
wealth, so  far  as  the  Same  respects  Legal  Tryals.  The  Jurors 
now  Called  to  decide  upon  matters  of  right  in  this  County  Are  A 
Mixture  of  Town  &  Country  men,  but  if  the  Town  Should  become 
A  Separate  County,  and  A  difference  In  the  feelings  of  Town 
and  Countrymen  does  actually  Exist,  it  will  be  hard  upon  our 
brethren  in  the  Country  to  have  no  Jurors  from  the  Country  when 
they  shall  be  called  to  Answer  upon  Suits  in  the  Town,  —  Besides 
This,  when  A  County  is  very  small,  And  an  Action  which  Attracts 
the  Public  Attention  has  to  Pass  thro'  the  Variety  of  Tryals  to 
which  it  is  liable  Until  Ended  in  A  review,  it  is  very  difficult  to 
procure  An  Unprejudiced  and  impartial  Jury.  The  Town  of  Bos- 
ton has  ever  had  A  high  Sense  of  the  Good  understanding  & 
ability  of  their  brethren  in  the  Country  and  would  by  all  means, 
Unless  where  the  Public  interest  absolutely  requires  it,  Be  willing 
to  relinquish  The  Advantages  derived  from  their  Assistance  in 
Matters  of  Legal  Controversy,  The  Town  of  Boston  have  At- 
tended to  the  Matters  of  complaint  of  their  Brethren  in  the 
Towns  said  to  be  Petitioning,  respecting  the  weight  of  Taxes 
Arising  from  County  Charges,  and  they  can  by  no  means  conceive 
that  [245.]  granting  to  the  Towns  mentioned  in  the  Petition 
Exclusive  County  Priviliges  would  ease  their  burthens.  The 
County  Expences  are  always  order' d  and  liquidated  by, the  Court 
of  Sessions,  wherein  their  is  A  large  Majority  of  Members  from 
the  Country  Towns,  the  Expence  of  the  Jail  is  no  doubt  very 
great  upon  the  Towns  mentioned  in  the  Petition,  as  well  as  upon 
the  Town  of  Boston,  but  the  Towns  in  the  Country  part  of  the 
County  ought  to  consider  That  in  all  great  Towns  and  Cities, 
there  are  vagrant  Strolling  Persons,  who  are  very  frequently  the 
Objects  of  such  Criminal  Prosecutions  as  will  create  an  Expence. 
But  The  Towns  Near  the  Metropolis  have  great  Advantages  from 
their  vicinity  with  it.  And  they  ought  to  bear  A  reasonable  Part 
of  the  burthens  Naturally  arising  from  their  Priviliges  and  Ad- 
vantages—  The  length  of  the  sessions  of  the  Supreme  Judicial 
Court,  is  no  doubt  the  Source  of  much  Expence.  But  A  Method 
much  more  eligible,  than  that  of  A  Division  of  the  County  may 
be  Adopted,  This  together  with  the  Expences  of  the  Jail  arises 
from  the  Number  of  Criminals  which  are  held  for  and  brought  to 
Tryal  at  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  —  Considering  the  Advan- 
tages derived  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Towns  Mentioned  in  the 
Petition  from  their  Contiguity  with  the  Town  of  Boston  they 
ought  to  Unite  with  it  in  Procuring  Such  Measures  as  will  tend 
Mutually  to   the  relief  of  Town  and  Country  in  the  Expences 


Boston  Town  Records,  1791.  271 

Complained  of  [246.]  As  your  Honors  have  under  consider- 
ation A  revision  of  the  Judicial  department  in  the  Goverment, 
the.  Legislative  will  be  naturally  led  to  form  such  an  Establish- 
ment as  shall  give  the  Town  of  Boston  A  Tribunal  to  try  and 
Sentence,  or  Acquit  such  Persons  as  Shall  be  committed  under 
charges  of  A  Criminal  nature  not  Capital  and  committed  within 
the  Town  of  Boston,  in  as  Short  A  time  after  their  Committment 
As  shall  be  consistent  with  Justice.  This  will  lessen  the  Expences 
of  the  County,  have  A  tendency  to  prevent  the  Commission  of 
Crimes,  which  are  perpetrated  under  A  hope  of  escaping  from 
Punishment  by  delay  of  Trials,  and  take  away  all  the  colourable 
reasons  Suggested  in  the  Petition  ;  what  the  many  other  reasons 
are  which  The  Petitioners  Suggest  as  existing,  but  do  not  mention 
The  Town  of  Boston  are  unable  to  conceive  of ;  had  they  been 
mentioned  in  the  Petition  it  would  have  led  to  A  discussion  of 
their  merits,  but  there  are,  as  this  Town  believes  many  and  very 
weighty  reasons  against  the  Measure.  Amongst  which  are  the  fol- 
lowing :  That  the  Interest  and  happiness  of  the  People  depend  much 
upon  having  the  offices  of  their  Municipality  filled  with  men  who 
are  capable  of  executing  the  functions  of  them,  and  answering  the 
just  expectation  of  their  constituents,  but  this  can  never  be  As- 
sured where  [247.]  The  Community  is  small  without  laying  grevi- 
ous  burthens  upon  the  People.  In  the  instance  under  consideration 
A  fair  calculation  will  shew  that  the  County  Officers  have  but  A 
Small  support  as  —  the  County  now  stands.  And  A  division 
will  still  lessen  The  reward  for  A  Devotion  to  Public  business 
The  real  expence  of  the  People  in  going  to  the  Proposed  shire 
town  will  be  to  increase  their  Travel  and  by  no  means  lessen  their 
other  expences,  The  great  objects  of  Civil  Goverment  are  the 
defence  of  the  Society  against  Violence  from  External  Enemies. 
&  the  Support  of  Distributive  Justice  among  the  Individuals  of 
which  it  is  composed  ;  in  the  Latter  a  tryal  by  Jury  is  considered 
as  being  A  very  important  and  Valuable  Municipal  Institution, 
But  where  A  County  is  small  too  great  a  Proportion  of  the  People 
of  it  will  be  too  much  interested  or  Prejudiced  in  Causes  demand- 
ing the  Public  attention  to  Preserve  this  institution  in  Purity, 
and  tryals  under  such  impressions  will  have  A  tendency  to  destroy 
the  respectability  of  an  Institution,  upon  which  the  Liberties  of 
the  People  depend. 

There  are  many  other  Counties  in  the  Commonwealth  which 
have  as  fair  A  Claim  for  A  division  as  the  County  of  Suffolk 
has.  And  Some  of  them  greater  and  more  weighty  reasons  to 
offer  than  can  be  given  [248.]  In  this  case,  for  though  the  shire 
Town  in  this  County  is  not  Central  as  to  its  local  situation  yet  it 
is  so  as  to  the  business  done  in  the  County  —  But  there  is  one 
Consideration  which  the  inhabitants  of  Boston  conceive  will  have 
such  weight  that  no  smaller  consideration  of  Convenience  to  A 
Part  of  the  State  will  Preponderate  against  A  Multiplication  of 
Counties  [which]  will  necessarily  call  for  A  Division  of  the  Com- 
monwealth into  Several  States  ;  A  Measure  So  replete  with  Mis- 


272  City  Document. 

chiefs  and  Misfortune,  that  every  well  wisher  to  his  Country  will 
oppose,  As  the  States  are  divided  they  will  grow  weak,  inefficient, 
and  unimportant  in  the  Union  &  Naturally  Yield  their  Powers  of 
Exertion  to  be  Carried  to  the  Seat  of  Federal  Goverment  and 
leave  the  States  dependent  upon  the  Powers  of  the  Union  for 
even  the  exercise  of  Corporate  Municipal  Authority. 

Impressed  with  these  Sentiments  the  Town  of  Boston  have 
taken  Liberty  to  appoint  Agents  to  oppose  the  Division  of  the 
County  of  Suffolk  before  the  General  Court,  and  before  all  such 
branches  and  Comittees  of  it  as  shall  have  the  subject  of  it  under 
consideration  and  humbly  hope  That  A  Petition  Soliciting  A 
Measure  which  will  have  A  Dangerous  tendency  against  the  im- 
portance, Security,  &  happiness  of  the  people  of  the  Whole  Com- 
monwealth may  not  obtain  the  Object  for  which  [249.]  it  has 
been  presented. 

Voted,  that  all  matters  unfinished  at  this  meeting  be  referred 
over  to  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting  that  shall  be  called.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Hon^5.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  Good  Service  as 
Moderator  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  meeting  of  The  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legally  warned  in  Public 
Town  meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Friday  the  30th  day 
of  December  Anno  Domini  1791  —  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting —  read 

Honl2l£  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand 
Vote.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Vizt.  To  take  into  Consideration 
the  representation  of  a  considerable  Number  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town,  setting  forth  [350.]  the  want  of  A  More  efficient 
Police  &c  and  requesting  that  A  Town  Meeting  may  be  called  to 
take  into  consideration  the  Present  State  of  the  Town.  And 
Adopt  such  measures  as  may  conduce  to  lessen  if  not  remove 
&c.  —  was  read  —  On  Motion  —  Voted,  That 

Hon^  James  Sullivan  Esq1. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Jur.  Esqr. 
Hon^  Judge  Payne 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  273 

Hon5l£  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Hon™£  Benjn  Austin  Jur.  Esqr. 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esqr. 
Hon™5  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 

William  Eustis  Esqr. 

Christopher  Gore  Esq1. 

William  Little  Esqr. 

John  Q.  Adams  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edwd.  Edes 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 

Cap*.  James  Prince 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 

Paul  Revere  Esqr. 

Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
Be  A  Commtee.  to  take  the  Article  in  the  Warrant  into  Considera- 
tion, &  report  what  they  shall  Judge  best  to  be  done  thereon.  — 

Adjourned  to  Friday  the  13th  day  of  January  Next  1792.  10'. 
O'Clock.  A  :  M  :  — 

[251.]  Friday  the  13th.  January  10  'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment.  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  consideration  of  the 
Article  relative  to  Altering  the  Police  of  the  Town  —  Reported  — 
Whereupon  —  Voted,  That  said  report  be  printed  in  A  Pamphlet. 
and  distributed  to  and  amongst  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  — 

Adjourned  to  Next  Wednesday  at  10  'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Wednesday  Janry.  18th— 10'  O'Clock  A:M:  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

The  Report  relative  to  an  Alteration  of  the  Town  Police  again 
taken  up,  After  large  debates 

Adjourned  to,  to  Morrow  Morning  10  —  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Thursday.  Jan1?.  19th  10  —  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  Met  according  to 
Adjournment.  — 

Report,  relative  to  Police  again  taken  up.  and  on  Motion 
Voted,  to  consider  the  same  by  Paragraphs.  And  that  before  A 
Vote  shall  be  taken  on  The  whole  report,  The  Town  will  Ad- 
journ to  a  Future  day  And  that  notice  thereof  shall  be  given  to 
the  inhabitants  — 

Adjourned  to  half  past  3-O'Clock  P :  M  :  Met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 


274  City  Document. 

[352.]  The  Consideration  of  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Town  Police  again  taken  up  [by]  paragraphs  And  the  Paragraphs 
as  amended  were  accepted  by  the  Town  and  the  following  is  the 
report  as  amended  and  Accepted  by  Paragraphs  —  Viz*.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Town  at  the  late  meeting  to 
take  into  consideration  the  representation  of  A  considerable  num- 
ber of  its  inhabitants,  setting  forth,  the  want  of  A  more  efficient 
Police  and  Praying  for  the  Adoption  of  such  measures  as  might 
conduce  to  lessen  if  not  remove  those  embarrassments  by  A  More 
energetic  Government.  Ask  leave  io  report  the  following  in  the 
form  of  Votes.  And  submit  the  same  to  the  consideration  Of 
the  Town  —  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  Divide  the  Town  into  Nine 
Wards  of  Equal  Numbers  of  Inhabitants  as  near  as  may  be,  and 
be  impowered  once  in  every  Three  Years  if  it  should  be  necessary 
to  alter  the  Division  so  as  to  Preserve  the  Equality  formed,  and 
that  each  Ward  in  the  Month  of  March,  Annualy  Elect  by  ballot 
Two  men  residing  within  The  ward  by  which  they  shall  be  sever- 
ally Chosen,  and  together  with  the  Selectmen  for  the  time  being 
shall  constitute  A  Town  Council,  and  Possess  the  following 
Powers.  Ul  To  Possess  the  Powers  of  making  all  such  By.  Laws 
as  the  Town  have  now  in  their  corporate  capacity  A  right  to 
make  and  establish  the  same  without  any  Application  to  the 
Court  of  sessions  and  to  alter  and  repeal  them  [258.]  When 
Necessary.  Provided  that  no  by  Law  shall  be  enacted  Until  it 
shall  have  had  three  several  readings  on  three  Several  days,  and 
that  such  By  Law  in  the  mean  time  shall  be  Published  for  the 
inspection  of  the  inhabitants  and  that  no  such  Law  shall  be  per- 
petual until  it  shall  be  reenacted  by  A  Subsequent  Town  Council 
by  the  same  formalities  which  is  herein  provided  for  the  first 
time  of  enacting  it,  Provided  that  no  Penalty  shall  be  exacted 
for  a  breach  of  such  By  Laws  of  more  than  the  Value  of  Ten 
Pounds,  or  in  case  the  delinquent  be  unable  to  pay  such  Penalty 
as  shall  be  Adjudged  he  be  sent  to  the  Workhouse  and  be  kept  to 
hard  Labour  not  Exceeding  Thirty  days  and  that  in  cases  where 
the  Penalty  shall  exceed  the  sum  of  Four  Pounds  the  Party  Ac- 
cused shall  have  the  right  to  be  tryed  by  A  Jury —  2!Hl  To 
Regulate  all  kinds  of  Carriages  within  the  Town.  Also  to  regu- 
late Coaches  Chariots,  Post  Chases,  Phaetons,  Chaises,  Chairs 
and  Sulkeys  within  The  Town,  and  shall  be  impowered  to  raise 
duties  from  time  to  time  upon  such  as  shall  be  owned  by  the 
inhabitants  thereof.  Whenever  the  General  Court  their  Excise 
Laws  now  Excise  Laws  now  Existing  upon  them  — 
gdiy  That  the  Town  Council  have  Power  to  Appoint  annually, 
all  the  Executive  officers,  now  appointed  by  the  Town  or  Select- 
men Excepting  Selectmen,  Town  Clerk,  Overseers  of  the  Poor, 
Assessors,  Town  Treasurer  [254.]  School  Committee,  Auditors 
of  accounts,  Firewards,  Collectors  of  Taxes,  and  Constables,  and 
the  Said  town  Council  shall  be  impowered  to  remove  Constables 
and  Collectors  and  all  officers  by  the  said  council  appointed  upon 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  275 

their  being  Guilty  of  Corruption  in  their  offices  or  of  Male  — 
conduct  therein  and  to  appoint  others  in  their  place  during  the 
Vacancy — 45^  To  direct  all  Prosecutions  that  shall  be  com- 
menced Upon  breach  of  the  By  Laws  of  the  Town,  and  for  that 
Purpose  to  appoint  an  Attorney  to  Commence  and  carry  on  to 
final  Judgement,  all  such  prosecutions. — 

And  further  Voted  That  application  be  also  made  to  the  General 
Court  for  the  Establishment  of  A  Tribunal  to  Consist  of  one 
Judge  to  have  exclusive  original  Jurisdiction  of  all  Breaches  of 
the  By  Laws  of  the  Town,  and  of  the  breaches  of  Inspection 
Laws  within  the  Town  and  of  all  other  Laws  appertaining  Merely 
to  the  Goverment  of  The  Town  from  whose  Judgement  there  may 
be  an  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court.  —  Attest 

On  Motion  —  Voted,  Ten  of  the  Clock  in  the  forenoon  On  Thurs- 
day, Next  be  Assigned  for  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town  to  take 
into  consideration  and  to  determine  upon  the  Report  of  their 
Committee  on  the  Police  of  the  Town  as  amended  by  the  inhabi- 
tants in  the  Meeting  and  that  in  the  mean  time  the  same  shall  be 
printed  in  the  News  papers  and  in  hand  bills  and  one  hand  bill 
left  with  each  family  in  the  Town  — 

[255.^\  A  Letter  from  James  Bowdoin  Esqr.  Proposing  A 
Plan  for  easing  the  Poor  of  the  Town  in  the  Article  of  Firewood 
&  offering  in  case  of  concurrence,  One  hundred  pounds  as  A  Do- 
nation towards  carrying  the  Plan  into  Execution,  — was  read.  — 
whereupon ; — 

Voted  The  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given  to  the 
said  James  Bowcloin  Esqr.  for  his  Generous  donation,  for  the 
relief  of  the  Poor  in  the  Article  of  Wood  also  that 

The  Selectmen  be  A  Committee  to  take  Mr.  Bowdoins  Letter 
and  the  Plan  relative  to  relieve  the  Poor  in  the  Article  of  Wood 
into  Consideration  and  to  Report  thereon.  — 

Adjourned  to  Thursday  Next  to  Ten  O 'Clock  A  :  M  :  -- 

Thursday  the  26th  January  10-O'Clock  A:  M:  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

Committee  on  Mr.  Bowdoins  Letter  and  Plan,  have  further 
time  allowed  for  to  make  Report  Thereon.  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  for  Altering  the  Town  Police  as 
last  amended  by  the  Town  Again  taken  up,  and  after  debate  the 
question  was  put.  Viz*.  Whether  this  Report  as  now  Amended 
be  Accepted  by  the  Town  —  and  the  Moderator  being  [256.] 
unable  to  decide  as  to  the  Number  of  hands,  on  each  side  the 
question.  A  Poll  of  the  House  was  called  for  —  when  it  appeared 
the  number  of  Persons  for  receiving  the  report  was  Jive  hundred 


276  City  Document. 

and  Seventeen  and  the  Number  for  rejecting  sd.  report  Seven  hun- 
dred and  one. 

Voted,  That  all  matters  unfinished  at  this  meeting  be  referred 
to  the  next  General  Town  Meeting  to  be  called  — 

Then  the  meeting 
was  dissolved. 


[257.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  &  Legally  warned  in 
Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the 
12th.  day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1792.  10-O' Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Eckley.  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  meeting  were   accordingly  — 
read  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  For  A  Moderator  for  this  meeting,  and  the  Same  having 
been  brought  in  and  Sorted,  it  appeared  That  — 

Hon™£  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr 
Was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  vote.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in 
their  votes  for  A  Town  Clerk.  The  same  having  been  brought  & 
sorted  it  Appeared  —  That  William  Cooper  was  Chosen  Town 
Clerk  for  the  Year  Ensuing,  and  the  Oath  of  Office  was  Adminis- 
tered to  him  by  Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  [258.']  bring 
in  their  Votes  for  Nine  Selectmen  and  upon  sorting  them  it  ap- 
peared That  the  following  Gentlemen  were  chosen  —  Viz*. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Dea  William  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Little 

Samuel  Cabot  Esqr. 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
Were  chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Ensuing  Year  —  sent 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  12  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  Same  being  brought 
in  and  Sorted  it  Appeared.  That  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  277 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 
John  White  Esqr. 
Edward  Procter  Esqr. 
John  Sweetsir  Esqr. 
Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr. 
Samuel  Parkman  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes  — 
Henry  Hill  Esqr. 
John  Codman  Junr  Esqr. 
Mr.  William  Smith 
William  Phillips  Junr  Esqr. 

Stephen  Goreham  Esqr.  were  Chosen  Overseers  of  the  poor  for 
the  Year  Ensuing.     Unanimously  —  Sent. 

[259.]  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring 
in  their  Votes  for  sixteen  firewards  and  the  same  being  brought 
in  and  sorted  it  appeared  That  the 

HonbiS  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Thomas  Tilestone 

John  Winthrop  Esqr. 

Thomas  Melville  Esqr. 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 

Samuel  Breck  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Clarke 

Hon^l?  Thomas  Eussell  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Samuel  Parkman  Esq1-. 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esq1'. 

Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 

Henry  Jackson  Esqr.  —  were  chosen 
Fire  wards  for  the  Year  Ensuing     -     -     Sent 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell  was  Chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year 
Ensuing,  and  the  Oath  of  Office  Administered  to  him  by  the  Town 
Clerk     Sent 

The  Choice  of  Constables  Refered  to  The  Adjournment  — 

Thomas  Winthrop  Esqr. 
Leonard  W.  Boreland 
Messrs.  Thos;  H.  Perkins 
John  Parker 
Samuel  Cobb 
[260.]  Samuel  Blagg 

William  Deblois 
Daniel  Sargeant  Junr. 
Francis  Amory 


278  City  Document. 

^uke  Baldwin 
Nathaniel  Frazier  Jur. 
Jonathan  Amory  Jur.  were  Chosen 
Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

Voted,  That  the 

Hont^  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Herman  Brimmer  Esqr. 
Joseph  Russell  Jur.  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Audit  The  accounts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  Also  the  accounts  of  the  Selectmen 
and  overseers  of  the  Poor,  and  the  said  Committee  are  also 
directed  to  report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Service 
of  the  Present  Year  —     Sent 

Voted,  That  the  Consideration  of  all  Money  matters  be  referred 
over  to  the  Next  May  Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  the  Assessors  be  and  are  hereby  directed  and  Im- 
powered  to  set  for  such  abatements  of  Taxes,  as  they  shall  Judge 
reasonable  two  days  in  Each  Week  after  the  delivery  of  the  Tax 
books  to  the  Collectors  for  the  space  of  Six  weeks  and  [261.] 
no  longer.  Saving  that  they  be  allowed  to  Set  the  Last  week  in 
February,  Lords  days  Excepted,  for  the  abatement  of  Taxes  of 
such  Persons  as  had  not  the  opportunity  of  Applying  in  the 
above  Limited  time  by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Common- 
wealth, or  any  other  Unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the  Asses- 
sors determine  upon  the  said  Two  days,  which  is  to  be  noted  on 
the  Tax  bills  to  be  delivered  to  the  inhabitants,  Sent 

Votes,  for  A  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  brought  in 
and  Counted  by  the  Moderator  and  Town  Clerk,  when  it  appeared 
That  the  whole  number  was  two  hundred  and  Eighty  Nine,  and 
that  they  were  All  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  A  discreet  Suitable 
Person,  being  A  Freeholder,  and  A  resident  in  the  Same  County 

Mem0.  —  The  attested  Copy  thereof  was  given  to  Ezekiel 
Price  Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions.  — 

Votes  brought  in  for  five  Assessors  it  Appeared,  That  — 
Giles  Harris  Esqr. 
Mr.  William  Lowder 
■  Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  R;  Siggorney 
Mr.  Edward  Davis  —  were 
Chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  Ensuing  —  Sent 

The  Statement  of  the  Assessors  relative  to  the  Taxes  paid  by 
the  Collectors  read  to  the  Town  &  placed  on  the  Files.  — 

[262.]     Voted.  That  five  per  Cent  be  and  hereby  is  Allowed 


•  Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  279 

to  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  Ensuing,  for  all  Such 
Sums  of  Money  and  Public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  and 
Pay  into  the  several  Treasurers  of  the  Sums  Committed  to  them  to 
Collect  —  Also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  bond  wth.  Suffi- 
cient Securities  to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faith- 
full  discharge  of  their  duty  in  said  Office —  and  Complying  with 
this  Vote,  And  That  they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gra- 
tuity for  discounting  any  order,  Notes  or  receipts  from  the 
Treasurer  of  this  State,  or  the  Treasurer  of  this  Town.  — 

Messrs.  Benjamin  Henderson 
James  Thompson    . 
Thomas  Bayley 

Caleb  Blanch ard  were  Chosen  Collectors 
of  Taxes  for  the  year  Ensuing  — 

Voted.  That  the  Town  Treasurer  Give  Bond  with  Securities  to 
the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  in  the  Penalty  of  Ten  thousand 
Pounds  for  his  faithfull  discharge  of  the  Duties  of  his  office  — 

Mess1'8.  Benf.  White 
William  Crafts 
Moses  May  — 
Andrew  Townsend 
William  Todd, 
Were  Chosen  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  ensuing  — 

[263.]  Mess™.  William  Billings 

Nathan  Green 
David  Hollis 
Thomas  Bradley  —  Were 
Chosen  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  Year  Ensuing  —  Sent 

The  Selectmen  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Highwayes  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

Mess™  William  McNeil 

Jeff ery  Kichardson  —  were 
Chosen  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  ensuing  Year  —  Sent 

Mr.  Adam  Colson  was  Chosen  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Ensu- 
ing year — 

Mess™  Edward  Jones 
Francis  Booth 

Samuel  Curtis  were  chosen  Haywards  for 
the  Ensuing  Year  — 

Mess-  Joseph  Egner 

Peter  Smink  were  chosen  Hogreeves  for 
the  Year  Ensuing  — 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Edward  Tuckerman  Esq1",  were  chosen 
Surveyors  of  Wheat  for  the  Year  Ensuing 


280  City  Document. 

Messrs.  John  Skinner 

Samuel  Green  were  Chosen  Assay  masters 
for  the  year  ensuing  — 

[264.]  Messrs.  John  Ballard 

Thomas  Uran 

Willm.  Cunningham 

Edward   Wild   were    Chosen    Sealers   of 
"Wood  for  the  Ensuing  Year  — 

Messrs.  Lemuel  Gardner 
John  Bray 
Joseph  Loring 
Henry  Parkett 
James  Barry 
Edward  Burt 
Edmund  Dolbeare 
Joseph  Bassett 
Thos.  Barber 
Thomas  Foster 
Hezekiah  Hudson 
Jonathan  Cushing 

William  Parkman  were  chose  Cullers  of 
Staves  &  hoops  for  the  year  ensuing  — 

Messrs.  John  Champney 
Samuel  Dyer 
Edmund  Ranger 
Benja.  White 
John  Cogswell 
Benja.  Page 
Jonathan  Bentley 
Daniel  Ingersol 
James  Blake 
James  Rogers 
Abraham  Haywood 

James  Robbins.  were  chosen  Surveyers  of 
Boards  &  Shingles  the  Year  Ensuing 

[265.]     Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P.  M  — 

3.  O'Clock  P.  M.  the  Town  Met  — 

Moved,  [&]  Voted  That  the  Choice  of  Constables  be  referred 
to  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  To  choose  A  School  Com- 
mittee read  &  on  Motion  — 

Voted  That  in  Addition  to  the  Selectmen — Twelve  Persons 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  281 

Shall  Now  be  Chosen  and  the  following  Gentlemen  were  accord- 
ingly chosen  by  ballot  Viz1. 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Senr.  Esqr. 
Revd.  Samuel  West 
Revd.  John  Lothrop  D.  D. 
Revd.  James  Freeman 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
D*.  Thomas  Welch  — 
Dr.  Nathaniel  Appleton 
Jona.  Mason  Junr.  Esqr. 
Aaron  Dexter  Esqr. 
Christopher  Gore  Esqr. 
George  R.  Minot  Esq1". 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 

The  Petition  of  John  Sweetser  Esqr.  &  a  Number  of  the  Inhab- 
itants for  Altering  the  Present  System  of  School  Education,  was 
read ;  Together  with  the  Vote  respecting  School  Committee 
passed  the  Last  year ;  whereupon  Moved  &  Voted.  That  the 
Petition  Sign'd  by  John  Sweetser  Esq1'.  &  others  be  referred  to 
the  School  Committee  for  their  Consideration  to  report  at  the 
Adjournment  Such  Alterations  in  the  present  [266.]  System  of 
Public  Education  as  they  shall  Judge  may  be  Expedient  — 

Mr.  Carters  Petition  for  an  Augmentation  of  his  Salary  or  Lib- 
erty to  keep  A  Private  [School]  being  again  read,  was  also  re- 
ferred to  the  said  School  Committee  for  their  Consideration  who 
after  having  Consulted  with  the  School  masters  are  to  report  at 
the  Adjournment  — 

Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard  was  Chosen  Assessor  in  the  room  of  Mr. 
Davis  who  has  resigned 

The  Choice  of  A  Collector  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Blanchard  referred 
to  the  Adjournment 

The  Petition  of  [John]  Holbrook  to  make  up  A  Loss  he  sus- 
tained by  supplying  Paving  Stones  and  Gravel  for  Battery  march, 
read  — 

Whereupon  Voted  That  the 

Hon!^?  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr  — 

Jonathan  Mason   Esqr.  be   A   Committee   to 
Consider  the  Same  and  report  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Petition  of  A  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  To  Consider  the 
By  Laws  of  the  Town  and  what  measures  are  proper  to  be 
Adopted  to   carry  them   into   Execution   read    and    after    some 


282  City  Document. 

[267.]  Debate,  it  was  Voted  that  A  Committee  of  Thirteen  be 
Chosen  by  ballot,  to  consider  of  this  matter  and  report  thereon  at 
the  Adjournment  or  the  next  May  meeting  —  The  Town  to  be 
inform' d  when  said  report  will  be  Laid  before  them  — 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  foregoing  Vote  so  far  as  it  relates 
to  Choosing  the  Committee  by  Ballot  be  reconsidered  Whereupon 
the  following  Gentlemen  were  Chosen  by  A  hand  Vote  for  the 
Purpose  aforesaid  Viz*. 

Hon5i2  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr. 

Hon5l5  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Hon^  George  R.  Minot  Esqr. 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 

William  Cooper 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Mr.  Jona.  L.  Austin 

Mr.  John  Kneeland 

Hon0.  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esq1'. 

Mr.  John  Demming 

Jona.  Mason  Esq. 

Deacon  Richard  Gridley 

Mr.  Henry  Bass 

The  Memorial  of  Jonathan  Mason  Esq1,  requesting  to  Purchase 
of  the  Town  the  Alms  house  with  the  Land  under  and  Adjoyning 
the  Same  to  know  the  Terms  upon  which  [268.]  they  will  Sell 
the  Same  —  read  — 
Whereupon  Voted.  That  — 

Hon°.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Hon0.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
&  Doctr.  Scollay  — 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  this  matter  and  to  report  at  the  Ad- 
journment — 

The  Application  of  Docter  Whipple,  That  He  may  be  Per- 
mitted to  Inoculate  for  the  Small  Pox  at  Rainsford  Island  was 
referred  to  the  Selectmen  for  Consideration  who  are  to  Report  at 
the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*,  to  know  what  measures  shall 
be  taken  relative  to  Lighting  the  Town — read,  whereupon  — 
Voted  That  Thomas  Edwards  Esq1'. 
Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
Mr.  Treasur.  Russell 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  and  report  this  Article  at  the  Ad- 
journment. — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  283 

Adjourned  to  the  Last  Tuesday  in  March  Istant  being  the 
27th.  day  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  —    ' 

Tuesday  the  27th.  march  10.  O'Clock  A:  M:  Town  Met  Ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

Samuel  Cabot  Esqr.  having  resigned  as  A  Selectman  the  Votes 
were  brought  in  as  directed  for  one  Selectman  in  the  room  of 
Majr.  Cabot,  upon  Sorting  [269.]  them  it  appeared  that  — 

William  Scollay  Esqr. 
was  Chosen  A  Selectman  for  the  Year  Ensuing.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  A  Gentleman  to  serve  on  the 
School  Committee  in  the  room  of  the  Revd.  Mr.  Freeman  who 
Declined  Serving,  It  appeared  that,  — 

The  Reverend  John  Clark 
was  Chosen  one  of  the  School  Committee  for  the  Year  Ensuing 
Unanimously  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  12  Constables  it  appeared  that 
only  Eleven  were  Chosen  Viz*. 

Mess™  Shubal  Hews 

Benjamin  Homans 

John  Bosson 

John  Cade 

John  Butterfield 

Andrew  Townsend 

Samuel  White 

David  Lewis 

Thomas  Uran 

Thomas  Stevenson 

Enoch  May 
Committee  on  Mr.  Holbrooks  Petition  have  Leave  for  to  Report 
again.  — 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  thanks  of  The  Town,  be  and  hereby 
are  given  unto.  Sam1.  Cabot  for  his  good  Services  as  A  Selectman 
While  in  that  Office  — 

[270.]  On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be 
and  hereby  are  given  Unto  Mr.  Samuel  Whitwell  Junr.  for  his 
good  Services  as  A  fire  Ward  While  in  that  Office.  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  Carrying  the  By  Laws 
of  the  Town  —  into  Execution,  read,  and  after  some  Debate  — 

Voted,  That  the  Consideration  of  this  report  be  referred  to  the 
May  Meeting  and  that  the  Same  be  Printed  in  hand  bills  as  soon 
as  may  be,  in  Order  to  their  being  distributed  amongst  the  In- 
habitants — 


284  •  City  Document. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Masons  Memorial  — 
read  and  on  Motion  — 

Voted,  that  the  Same  be  referred  to  the  Adjournment  for  Con- 
sideration — 

The  Committee  appointed  on  the  Application  of  Doctr.  Whipple 
that  the  Town  would  Consent  to  his  obtaining  License  for  his 
Inoculating  for  the  Small  Pox  at  Rainsfords  Island.  Report  that 
the  Same  may  be  granted,  and  that  the  Town  Consent  Accord- 
ingly — 

The  Report  aforegoing  having  been  read  —  Voted  That  the 
same  be  accepted  — 

Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

3  O'Clock  P :  M.  Town  Met. 

Mess-.  Thomas  English 
Simon  Eliot  Junr. 
Thomas  Brewer 
Samuel  Barton 
John  Q.  Adams 
Were  Chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  the  Year  Ensuing 

[271.]  On  Motion  Voted  That  the  Choice  of  one  Constable 
wanted,  be  put  off  to  May  Meeting 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  one  Fire- Ward.  It  Appeared 
That  Cap*.  Mungo  Mackay  was  Chosen  — 

The  School  Committee  of  the  Town  of  Boston  To  Whom  was 
referred  the  Petition  of  John  Sweetser  Esq1,  and  others  for  an 
Alteration  in  the  Present  System  of  Education  in  this  Town  beg 
Leave  to  report 

That  the  Committee  have  heard  the  Petitioners  and  Consulted 
with  the  Schoolmasters  on  the  Subject  of  the  said  Petition,  and 
are  of  Opinion  That  it  is  not  Expedient  to  make  the  Alterations 
in  the  Present  System  of  Education  which  are  now  Proposed  by 
the  Petitioners.  And  request  Leave  to  set  again  upon  the  Subject 
of  Mr.  James  Carters  Petition 

IP  order  Ezek1.  Price 

Chairman. 

The  Question  being  Put  -  whether  the  aforegoing  Report  be 
Accepted.  Passed  in  the  Affirmative. — Also  Voted  That  the 
foregoing  Committee  who  Conjunctly  with  the  Selectmen  are  to 
be  termed  the  School  Committee,  be  &  hereby  are  directed  to 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  285 

Carry  the  New  System  of  Education  which  has  been  Adopted 
by  the  Town  into  Operation.  And  said  Committee  are  also 
Authorized  and  impowered  Conjunctly  to  Manage  and  regulate 
the  affairs  and  Goverment  of  the  Schools,  and  [272.]  In  future 
to  Exercise  all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  Schoolmasters,  which 
the  Selectmen  or  such  Committee  are  Authorized  by  the  Laws  of 
the  Commonwealth  Or  the  Votes  of  this  Town  to  exercise  —  Any 
former  Votes  of  the  Town  Notwithstanding  — 

The  choice  of  A  Collector  of  Taxes  was  on  Motion  referred  to 
May  Meeting  — 

On  the  representation  of  Giles  Harris  Esqr.  In  behalf  of  him- 
self and  the  other  Assessors  — 

Voted  That  the  Honble :  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Cap*.  James  Prince 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  take  into  Consideration  the  Extra  duties 
which  will  lay  upon  the  Assessors  the  Present  Year,  by  Means  of 
A  New  Valuation  being  ordered  by  the  General  Court  to  be  now 
taken.  And  to  report  at  the  Adjournment  what  they  shall  Judge 
to  be  an  Adequate  allowance  therefor  — 

Committee  relating  to  Lighting  the  Lamps  Reported  —  on  mo- 
tion 

Voted  That  the  Selectmen  to  continue  Lighting  the  Lamps  at 
the  Expence  of  the  Town,  Untill  the  Adjournm*.  to  which  time 
the  consideration  of  said  report  is  referred  — 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  the  10th  of  April  next  10.  O'Clock 
A:  M: 

[373.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Male  inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Boston  of  Twenty  one  years  of  age  &  upwards  qualified  as  the 
Law  directs,  as  the  Constitution  Prescribes,  and  legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday 
The  2d.  Day  of  April  Anno  Domini  1792.  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Reverend  James  Freeman  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  Meeting  —  read 

Paragraphs  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment.  rela- 
tive to  the  Choice  of  Governor.  Lieu*.  Governor  &  Senators  — 
read  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be 
received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they  Propose  the  Poll 


286  City  Document. 

should  be  closed  at  half  past  12.  O'Clock.  The  Votes  to  be  re- 
ceived at  The  Table,  and  the  Bells  to  begin  tolling  at  12. 
O'Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  — 

Votes 
His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr.    -     -     -     -  689 

Hon!^  Francis  Dana  Esqr. 5 

Joseph  Barrell  Esq1'.       -     -     -     -     -       5 
Hon^Benja.  Austin  Junr.  Esqr.  -     -     -     -       7 

Hon^  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 2 

Hon^e.  Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr. 1 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 5 

Hon1*16.  Thomas  Russell  Esq1'.  -----       5 

Mr.  Joseph  G-leason      -     -     -     -     -       1 

Hon^li  Samuel  Phillips  Esq1. 1 

[274:.]  Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieu*.  Governor  with  The 
Number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  Viz*. 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams  Esq1-.    -     -     -     -  686 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr.      ------  2 

Hon1^  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 17 

Mr.  William  Cleland  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  1 

Hon1^  William  Phillips  Esqr. 1 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 7 

Mr.  Joseph  Shed 2 

Mr.  Nathaniel  Balch 1 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 1 

Hon^i  Caleb  Strong  Esqr. 1 

Honi^  Benjamin  Austin  Esqr. 3 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  with 
the  Number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Hon51?  William  Phillips  Esqr. 118 

Hon™i  Cotton  Tuff ts  Esqr. 205 

Hon^  Stephen  Metcalf  Esqr. 715 

Hon™?  Thomas  Davis  Esqr. 645 

Hon^5  Benjamin  Austin  Jur.  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  577 

Hon1^  William  Heath  Esq1'. 574 

Hon™£  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 91 

John  Read  Esqr. 299 

Oliver  Wendell  Esqr. 494 

James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 363 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'. 215 

Mr.  Elkanah  Hawkes 7 

Richard  Cranch  Esqr.  ------  1 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  ---.---  1 

[275.n                   William  Cooper 7 

Edward  H.  Bobbins  Esqr.     -     -     -     -  35 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  287 

Mr.  Joseph  Sprague 7 

Solomon  Lovell  Esqr. 12 

Mr.  John  Kneeland 7 

Hon—  Stephen  Higginson  Esq1'.      -     -         3 

Coll0.  Ebenezer  Hancock  Esqr.  -     -     -         1 

Elisha  Dunbar  Esqr.    ...     -         1 

Thomas  Clark  Esqr 2 

Mr.  Hugh  Cargill  --------         7 

Ebeneser  Thayer  Esqr.     ...       13 

Jonathan  Mason  Senr.  Esqr.       -         7 

Hon1^  Caleb  Davis  Esqr.       -     -         2 

William  Tudor  Esqr.  -     -  1 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  -         3 

Jonathan  Mason  Jur.  Esq1'.  -     -     -     -         2 

Hon™5  Ebenezer  Wales 

Ebenezer  Storer  Esq1'.     -     -     - 

Mr.  William  Brick 

William  Eustis  Esq1.       -     -     -     - 

Mr.  John  French 

Mr.  Elisha  Sigorney 

Mr.  Joseph  May     ------- 

Cap*.  Norton  Brailsford  -     -     -     -     - 

Mr.  Samuel  Wheelwright  -     -     -     -     - 

Cap*.  Michael  Homer 

Mr.  Benf  Russell 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Lieu*. 
Governor,  and  Senators  for  The  County  of  Suffolk  were  Com- 
mitted to  the  [276.]  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  and  the 
Inclosures.  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting.  Superscribed  as  follows 
—Viz*. 

For  John  Avery  Esqr.  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusetts — 

The  Number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  A  Governor 
Lieu*.  Governor,  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  Cer- 
tified therein,  and  Sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved 


At  The  Adjournment  Of  March  Meeting  April  109!  1792.  The 
Committee  Appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  representa- 
tion of  Giles  Harris  Esq1-,  in  behalf  of  himself  and  the  other 
Assessors,  have  Attended  that  Service,  and  upon  Conferring  with 
the  Assessors,  are  informed,  That  the  time  for  taking  the  Valu- 
ation, Agreeably  to  the  Act  of  Government,  will  be  at  Least  Six 
Months,  and  making  the  Taxes  and  the  other  business  of  the 
Office,  in  Consequence  thereof  its  Probable  will  require  the  re- 


288  City  Document. 

mainder  of  the  Year,  therefor  Ask  Leave  to  report  As  their 
Opinion,  That  there  be  Allowed  and  Paid  to  each  of  the  As- 
sessors for  the  above  mentioned  Services  One  hundred  &  Thirty 
Pounds  for  the  Present  Year  in  Quarterly  Payments.  The  above 
not  to  be  Considered  as  A  Precedent  in  future  — 

Thomas  Dawes  ^r.  order 

[277.]  The  Report  on  Mr.  Masons  Petition  read  and  Con- 
sidered whereupon  Voted  that  said  report  be  recommitted  and  the 
Committee  are  further  Requested  to  Report  a  suitable  place  for 
the  Erection  of  an  Almshouse,  Workhouse,  Hospital  and  other 
Necessary  buildings,  at  what  Price  it  can  be  Purchased,  and  also 
to  Ascertain  the  Expence  of  Erecting  the  said  Buildings,  and 
report  at  the  may  Meeting  — 

The  Committee  Appointed  to  know  what  measures  shall  be 
taken  relative  to  Lighting  The  Town  the  Ensuing  Year  —  Report 
that  they  have  Attended  that  Service  And  from  A  Calculation 
they  have  made  from  the  Actual  Expence  of  Lighting  the  Lamps 
the  Last  month  find  that  the  Probable  Expence  of  Lighting  the 
same  the  Ensuing  year  will  be  £800  —  and  your  Committee  beg 
Leave  to  observe  that  in  their  opinion  the  Convenience  to  the 
Inhabitants  in  having  the  Same  Lighted  will  Amply  Compensate 
the  Expence.  They  therefore  report  as  their  opinion  the  Selectmen 
be  Authorized  to  Light  the  Lamps  the  Ensuing  Year  at  the  Ex- 
pence  of  The  Town  by  Contract  with  any  Individual  or  Indi- 
viduals or  in  Such  other  manner,  as  they  may  think  proper  — 

Thomas  Edwards  ^r  order 

The  following  report  having  been  read  and  Debated,  It  was 
—  Voted  That  the  said  report  Be  Accepted  — 

[278.]  On  Motion.  Voted,  that  all  matters  and  things  Un- 
finished at  this  Meeting  be  referred  Over  to  May  Meeting  — 

Voted.  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Hon*i£  Thomas-Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  Mod- 
erator — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legaly  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the  8th.  day  of 
May  Anno  Domini  1792  —  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Baldwin  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  289 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Goverment  which 
relates  to  the  Choice  of  representatives  read 
Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  —  were  accordingly  — 
Read  — 

The  Town  having  Determined  by  A  Vote  to  Choose  Seven 
Persons  to  represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts 
to  be  held  in  the  State  House  in  Boston  on  the  [279.]  Last 
Wednesday  of  May  Current,  Agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or 
frame  of  Goverment  for  the  Massachusets.  The  Inhabitants 
were  directed  by  the  Selectmen  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Seven  representatives  and  then  it  was  declared  by  the 
Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be  received  but  such  as  are  un- 
folded and  that  they  intend  the  Poll  shall  be  Closed  at  half  past 
12.  O'Clock     Bell  to  toll  a  little  before  that  time  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representatives.  The 
Number  of  the  Same  were  found  to  be  Three  hundred  and  Twenty 
three  —  and  upon  sorting  them  it  Appeared  the  Eight  following 
Gentlemen  had  Obtained  —  A  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz*.  — 

Votes 

Hon™!  Thomas  Dawes  Senr.  Esqr.       -     -     -     -  288 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'. 297 

Samuel  Breck  Esq1'. 191 

Jonathan  Mason  Esq1'. 281 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esq1-.       -     -     -     -  .  -  306 

Hon™?  Benjamin  Austin  Esq1. 216 

"William  Eustis  Esq1'. 307 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 184 

Declaration  was  then  made  by  the  Selectmen  to  the  Town  That 
the  Seven  first  of  the  foregoing  Names  were  Chosen  by  A  Ma- 
jority of  Votes  — 

The  meeting  was  then  Adjourned  To  3.  O'Clock.  P :  M  :  — 

[280.]  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  Town  met  according  to  Adjourn- 
ment — 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  make 
return  of  the  Eight  Gentlemen  who  had  A  Majority  of  Votes  in 
the  Morning  for  Representatives  — 

The  Choice  of  Representatives  being  over  It  was  on  Motion 
Voted.  That  the  Town  will  Come  to  the  Choice  of  A  Moderator 
to  transact  the  other  business  mentioned  in  the  Warrant  by  a 
hand  Vote  — 

The  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Moderator 
Accordingly  — 


290  City  Document. 

The  Inhabitants  having  as  directed  by  the  Selectmen  brought 
in  their  Votes  of  One  Constable  it  appeared  upon  Sorting  them  — 

That  Mr.  James  Perkins  was  Chosen  a  Constable  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

The  Petition  Relative  to  A  New  Street  at  the  Bottom  of  Beacon 
Hill  —  read  — 

Whereupon  Voted,  That  Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 

Cap*.  James  Prince 
Harrison  G.  Otis  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  Said  Petition  and  to  Report  at  the 
Adjournment  — 

The  Petition  of  Deacon  Daniel  Jones  read  — 

Whereupon  Voted  That  Cap*.  Joseph  May 

George  R  :  Minot  Esqr. 
Doctor  Thomas  Welch  be 
A  Com'-^.  on  the  Same  to  report  at  the  Adjournment 

[281.]     Adjourned  to  Thursday  Next  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

Thursday  the  10th.  May.  3  :  O'Clock  the  Town  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 

The  Inhabitants  as  directed  brought  in  Their  Votes  for  Three 
Cullers  of  Fish.  When  it  appeared  that,  but  Two  were  Chosen 
viz*. 

Cap*.  Roger  Bartlet 

Cap*.  Joseph  Doble 

The  Committee  on  Mr.  Jirah  Holbrooks  Petition  Reported  that 
the  Petitioner  hath  Leave  to  withdraw  his  Petition  and  the 
Question  being  put  it  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

The  School  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  of 
Mr.  James  Carter  —  Report  as  follows  —  Viz*.  Pursuant  to  a  Vote 
of  the  Town  Passed  Mar.  12th.  The  School  Committee  having 
Conferred  with  the  School  masters  on  the  Subject  of  Mr.  Carters 
Petition,  and  after  full  Consideration  thereon  ;  ask  Leave  to  Report 
to  the  Town  as  their  Opinion.  That  the  several  School  masters 
cannot,  consistently  with  their  Duty  to  the  Public  Schools,  be 
permitted  to  keep  a  private  school,  until  after  the  hours  of  the 
public  school  in  the  afternoon.  The  Committee  also  deem  it  incum- 
bent on  them  further  to  observe  for  the  information  of  the  Town 
on  this  Subject ;  that  influenced  by  a  conviction  of  the  impor- 
tance of  giving  due  effect  to  the  new  system,  adopted  by  the  Town, 
for  the  regulation  of  the  public  schools ;  whereby  the  means  of 
education  have  not  only  been  happily  Extended  to  the  Children 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  291 

of  both  sexes,  of  all  the  Citizens;  but  such  Improvements  and 
Advantages,  have  been  already  experienced,  [282.]  As  are 
no  less  honorable  to  the  liberal  and  Patriotick  Principles  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Town,  than  beneficial  to  the  rising  Generation, 
the  immediate  objects  of  an  Institution  so  benevolent :  —  They 
have  from  A  Consideration  of  the  Increased  duties  resulting  to 
the  Schoolmasters  thereupon ;  and  the  wisdom  as  well  as  Justice 
of  affording  them  the  Encouragement  of  a  Competent  Support  — 
as  being  Essential  to  A  Zealous  and  faithful  discharge  thereof, 
conformably  to  the  powers  vested  in  them  by  the  Town,  Voted  as 
Salaries  for  the  present  year.  — 

To  Each  of  the  public  Schoolmasters  ....     £200  — 

To  Each  of  the  Ushers 80  — 

Ezek1  Price  Chairman 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  Considered  by  the  Town, 
the  Question  was  put,  Viz*.  — 

Whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted  Passed  in  the  Affirma- 
tive 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Petition  of  Daniel 
Jones  beg  Leave  to  report  that  upon  Enquiring  into  the  Subject 
of  said  Petition  it  appears  Probable.  That  from  several  unfore- 
seen Circumstances.  Such  as  opening  Drains  &c.  That  the  In- 
come of  the  Market  Square  falls  short  of  the  Estimate  made  by 
the  Petitioner,  when  he  Contracted  for  the  same,  The  sum  of  Fifty 
four  Pounds.  The  Committee  Therefore  Recommend  That  the 
Town  Pass  the  following  Vote  viz*.  Voted  that  the  Sum  of 
Fifty  Four  Pounds  Eight  Shillings  be  abated  Daniel  Jones  on  his 
Contract  for  the  income  of  the  Stalls  and  Stands,  without  the 
Market  house  for  the  year  past.  Provided  the  said  Jones  Pay 
into  the  [283.]  Town  Treasury  The  Sum  of  Seventy  Six 
Pounds  Six  shillings  (in  Addition  to  Sum  of  Sixty  Nine  Pounds 
already  paid)  On  or  before  the  first  day  of  June  next,  and  the 
further  Sum  of  Seventy  Six  Pounds  Six  Shillings  on  or  before 
the  first  day  of  August  Next,  all  which  is  Respectfully  submitted 

Joseph  May  ^r.  order 

The  a  foregoing  report  having  been  Considered  by  the  Town. 
On  the  Question  being  put  whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

Mr.  Breck  chosen  A  representative  declines  Serving  for  reasons 
given  in  his  Letter  on  the  file  of  this  meeting  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Audit  the  accots.  of  the  Town 
Treasurer  and  Examine  the  drafts  of  the  Selectmen  and  overseers, 
have  Attended  that  Service  and  report, 


292  City  Document. 

That  The  Treasurers  accounts  are  right  Cast,  and  well  Vouched, 
and  find  by  his  Account  Now  Rendered,  A  balance  in  favour  of 
the  Town  of  £10970  ,,  5  2^ 
The  General  State  of  the  Treasury  as  follows  Viz*. 

Drs.  Due  to  the  Town  from  the  Several  Collectors  —  Viz*. 

James  Thompson  for  1790  Tax    .     . 

1791       d°.      . 
Thomas  Bayley  .     .     1790  — D°.       . 

1791  — D°.       . 
Charles  Williams    .     1790  — D9.       . 
Benja.  Henderson   .     1791  — D°. 
[284.1     Caleb  Blanchard     .     1791— Dff. 

Sum  brought  over        

Commonwealth  Masssachusetts  .     . 

Town  Powder 

Sundry  Balances  from  a   number    of 
Persons  of  w£?  the  Committee  think 

£1300  bad 

Sundry  Persons  for  Rent 

Several  Small  notes     . 

Cash  in  the  Treasury 


Crs.  Due  from  the  Town  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
Sundry  Small  Balances       .     .       £384  ,,     1  „     7% 
To  the  Estate  of  Sam1.   Pa- 

tridge 695  „     7  „     Q% 

Matthew  Nazro      .     .  253  „     2  „     Z% 

Notes  on  Interest  .     .    -   8118  ,,  15  .,     5l2 


£597  „     3  „ 

2M 

1987  „     4  „ 

9^ 

272  „     9  „ 

m 

2011  „     7  ,, 

\\% 

765  „  12  „ 

uy9 

2078  ,-,  17  „ 

$yA 

1862  „     2  „ 

V/a 

£           [blank] 

6666  ,,  13  ,, 

4 

312  „  11  „ 

8 

1672  „  17  „ 

9 

320  „  15  „ 

11 

35  „  10  „ 

8 

1838  „     4  ,, 

%% 

9451  „     6  „  1,  '4 


10970  „     5  „     2% 
Balance  due  to  the  Town  by  the  Books  —  From  which  must  be 
deducted  for  Interest  due  on  Sundry  Notes  1st.  Mar.  1792 


Not  Yet  paid 

401 

Collectors  and  Asses- 

sors Pay    .... 

1050 

Abatements    on    1791 

900 

Town  Powder 

312 

Supposed  Bad  Debts  . 

1300 

Part  of  rents      .  - .     . 

150 

4113  „  13  ,,  11- 


Real  ballance  due  to  the  Town  ....         6856  ,,  11  ,,     3% 

Provided  no  greater  Loss  accrues  to  the  Town  from  bad  Debts, 
than  your  Committee  have  Estimated  in  the  foregoing  report 
There  was  in  favour  of  the  Town  on  the  first  clay  of  March  Last 
A  balance  of  £6856  ,,  11  ,,  3^  Your  Committee  beg  Leave 
further  to  report  That  the  Average  Annual  drafts  of  the  Select- 
men and  Overseers  [285.]  for  Several  Years  Previous  to  the 
Last  have  been  for  £7000  —  and  the  Last  Year  they  amounted 
to  8477  ,,  13  ,,  0y2  The  Present  Year,  as  there  is  A  New  School 
house  and  Stalls  in  the  Market  Square  to  be  built,  Sundry 
Streets  in  the  Town  to  be  repaired  and  A  Considerable  Expence 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  293 

for  lighting  the  Town  with  Lamps,  the  Current  Expences  will 
Exceed  the  Sum  raised  the  Last  Year.  Your  Committee  are 
therefore  of  opinion  that  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the 
Current  Expences  of  this  year  will  be  Nine  Thousand  Pounds, 
all  of  which  is  respectfully  Submitted 

Thos.  Dawes  ^  order  of  Com^5 

The  aforegoing  acco*.  having  been  Considered  by  the  Town. 
The  Question  was  put  for  its  acceptance  and  Obtain'd,  — 

Voted.  That  the  Sum  of  Nine  Thousand  Pounds  be  raised  by 
A  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  this  Town  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Masons  Petition  —  read, 
and  after  debate  the  Question  was  put  for  A  reference,  which 
was  Passed  in  the  Negative  — 

The  Report  as  amended  was  accepted  by  The  Town —  112 
Persons  Present.  — 

[386.]     Adjourned  [until]  tomorrow  3  'O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

Friday  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  Town  Met  According  to  Adjourn- 
ment — 

The  Committee  relative  to  A  New  Street  at  the  Bottom  of 
Beacon  hill  reported  as  on  file,  whereupon  it  was  moved  and 
Passed  That  A  Committee  be  appointed  to  Enquire  as  to  the  Titles 
of  the  Land  Claimed  by  Mr.  Todd  &  Cap*.  Dennie  and  to  report 
the  Sum  that  would  be  required  for  the  Purchase  of  the  Land 
Necessary  to  be  taken  into  the  Street,  and  what  would  be  the 
other  Expences  —  whereupon 

Voted.  That  the  Selectmen  be  now  a  Committee  for  the  Pur- 
pose aforesaid  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  A  Committee  be  now  Appointed  to 
Consider  the  duties  and  Services  of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  the 
Town  Clerk,  And  report  at  the  Adjournment  Adequate  Salaries 
therefore  — 

Voted,  That  William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Hon!^2  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 
Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

Voted  That  The  Thanks  of  The  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
unto  Samuel  Breck  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  A  Representa- 
tive A  Number  of  Years  past 


294  City  Document. 

[287.]  Voted  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  given  to  Jonathan  Mason  Junr.  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services 
As  A  Representative  Sometime  past 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Vote  of  Acceptance  on  Yesterday 
of  the  report  of  the  Committee  on  Mr.  Masons  Petition  'be  recon- 
sidered —  also  — 

Voted  That  the  Hon^l?  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1'. 

Benja.  Austin  Jimr.  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 
Hon0.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esq1'. 
Hon0.  James  Sullivan  Esq1'. 

William  Scollay  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinck 
Be  A  Committee  to  provide  Proper  and  Convenient  buildings 
for  the  reception  and  better  accommodation  of  the  Public  Poor, 
so  as  that  the  healthy,  sick  &  Convalescents  —  may  be  Lodged 
in  distinct  and  Separate  appartments  and  for  -the  Purpose  afore- 
said the  said  Committee  or  A  Major  Part  of  them,  are  hereby 
Authorized  and  impowered  to  Appropriate  and  Set  Apart  any  of 
the  vacant  Lands  belonging  to  the  Town  (except  the  Public 
Common)  to  Erect  said  buildings,  upon  or  to  purchase  any  other 
Piece  of  Land  which  they  may  think  more  convenient :  To  Con= 
tract  with  any  Persons  for  Erecting  &  Completing  [288.]  said 
buildings,  and  Supplying  the  Materials,  or  if  they  or  a  Major 
part  of  them  shall  Judge  it  most  for  the  interest  of  the  Town  and 
the  Comfortable  accomodation  of  the  poor  to  Enlarge  and  repair 
the  Present  Almshouse  &c.  and  to  Erect  any  Additional  build- 
ings On  the  Land  Contiguous  thereto.  And  in  order  to  defray 
the  incidental  Expences  of  the  'aforesaid  undertaking  the  said 
Committee  or  A  Major  part  of  them  are  hereby  further  Author- 
ized and  impowered  in  the  Name  of  the  Inhabitants  of  The  Town 
to  make  Sale  if  they  see  fit  of  the  peice  of  Land  on  which  the 
Granary.  Almshouse,  and  Workhouse  now  Stand  —  And  the  Land 
Contiguous  thereto  to  any  Person  or  Persons  who  will  give  the 
highest  price  therefor  or  any  part  thereof,  and  to  make  &  Exe- 
cute good  and  Sufficient  Deeds  thereof  in  the  Name  of  the  In- 
habitants of  the  Town  to  the  Purchaser  or  Purchasers,  and  if 
the  Proceeds  of  such  Sales  Shall  not  be  sufficient  to  Defray  the 
Expence  of  the  New  Buildings  &c.  The  said  Committee  or  A 
Major  part  of  them  are  further  Authorized  and  required  to  raise 
as  much  of  the  Deficiency  as  they  Can,  by  A  Public  Subscription, 
in  Aid  of  so  human  and  benevolent  an  undertaking,  and  if  any 
deficiency  shall  therefore  remain,  The  said  Committee  or  major 
Part  of  them  are  directed  to  make  report  thereof  to  the  Select- 
men, who  are  thereupon  required  [289.]  to  call  A  meeting  of  the 
inhabitants  that  they  may  Provide  for  the  Same  in  due  time  by  A 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  295 

Public  Tax.     Provided  That  said  Tax  shall  not  amount  to  A  Sum 
Exceeding  Two  Thousand  Pounds 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  Vote  Passed  by  the  Town  the  30th. 
March  1791.  for  farming  out  of  Faneuil  Hall  Market  to  the 
highest  bidder,  be  reconsidered,  and  that  the  Selectmen  be  and 
hereby  are  authorized  &  impowered  to  Appoint  A  Suitable  Person 
as  Clerk  of  said  Market,  under  such  regulations  and  directions  as 
to  them  may  Appear  most  Advantageous  To  the  Town,  and  to 
allow  said  Clerk  what  may  appear  to  them  Adequate  to  his  Services 
—  also. 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  Authorized  and  impowered  to 
dispose  of  the  Hay  Engine  to  the  Person  they  shall  Judge  most 
suitable  for  said  Trust,  and  allow  him  what  Sum  they  shall  Judge 
Adequate  to  his  Services  — 

Adjourned  to  Friday.  18-  Instant  —  - 

3.  O'Clock  P.  M  :  For  the  Purpose  of  taking  up  and  Acting 
upon  the  report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  By  Laws  and  Trans- 
acting other  matters  in  the  Warrant  not  yet  acted  upon.  May 
18th  1792  — 

Friday  P  :  M  :  3.  O'Clock.  Town  Met  according  to  Adjourn- 
ment —  The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  and  report  what 
they  may  Judge  to  be  Adequate  Salaries  [290.]  For  the  Town 
Treasurer  and  Town  Clerk  —  report 

That  after  conversation  with  the  Town  Clerk  and  Town  Treas- 
urer &  due  Enquiry  take  Leave  to  Report  that  there  be  granted 
to  the  Town  Clerk  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  &  fifty  Pounds  as  his 
Salary  for  the  Year  1791  —  and  for  the  Present  Year  — 

And  that  the  Town  Treasurer  have  at  the  rate  of  Two  hun- 
dred Pounds  ^pr.  Year  during  the  time  he  has  Come  into  Office 
and  up  to  the  Month  of  March  1793  —  as  an  Adequate  Salary 
and  Allowance  for  his  duties  and  Services,  which  is  Submitted, 

William  Tudor 
Herman  Brimmer 

The  Aforegoing  Report  being  read  the  Question  was  put  Viz*. 
Whether  this  Report  shall  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Affirma- 
tive — 

The  Committee  on  Mr.  Bowdoins  Proposals  —  reported  Ver- 
bally ;  and  have  Leave  to  Report  again  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  relative  to  the  Carrying  the  By 
Laws  into  Execution  —  read  — 


296  CxTY  Document. 

After  some  debate,  It  was  moved,  and  the  Question  Put  That 
said  reports  be  considered  by  Paragraphs  —  Passed  in  the  Nega- 
tive — 

It  was  then  moved  and  the  question  Put  That  said  report  be 
now  Accepted  by  the  Town  ;  which  Passed  in  the  Negative.  — 

On  Motion  Voted.  That  all  matters  and  things  which  shall 
remain  Unfinished  at  this  meeting,  be  referred  over  to  the  next 
General  Town  meeting  that  shall  be  called  — - 

[291.]  Voted.  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby 
are  Given  to  the  Hon^  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  Ser- 
vices as  Moderator 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
dissolved  — 


The  following  is  the  report  of  the  Committee  for  Carrying  the 
By  Laws  into  Execution,  which  report  was  not  accepted.     Viz*.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  the  By  Laws  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  And  to  report  measures  for  carrying  them  into 
Execution ;  have  attended  to  the  Subject  of  their  Commission, 
and  report  as  their  Opinion,  That  the  following  are  the  Principal 
obstructions  to  the  carrying  of  the  By  Laws  into  Effect ;  and  un- 
less removed,  must  forever  Embarrass  them  in  their  Operation  :  — 
1!^  An  Apprehension  existing  in  the  minds  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  residing  in  the  Town  of  Boston,  that  they  are  interested, 
in  the  Penalties  which  may  be  recovered  for  A  breach  of  the  said 
By  Laws,  and  therefore,  they  are  disqualified  from  taking  Cog- 
nizance and  Jurisdiction  of  Complaints  that  may  be  brought  be- 
fore them  in  such  Cases,  whereby  prosecutions  for  the  breaches 
of  the  Said  By  Laws  must  be  carried  on  at  Some  distance,  and 
with  great  Additional  trouble  and  Expence  —  2d.  The  want  of 
a  Sufficient  Pecuniary  Compensation  to  the  Inspectors  of  the 
Police  to  reward  them  for  the  Services  which  it  was  designed 
they  should  render  and  the  want  of  A  Proper  responsibility  and 
Penalties  on  the  part  of  those  officers  for  the  Neglect  of  their 
Duty. 

[292.]  3^?  An  inconvenience  arising  from  the  Inspectors  of 
the  Police  Applying  to  the  Selectmen,  previous  to  Commencing 
Prosecutions  for  breaches  of  the  By  Laws,  which  have  occasioned 
delay  in  Cases,  where  there  were  no  legal  doubts  of  A  Prosecu- 
tion being  sustained.  4-  The  want  of  an  Attorney  for  the 
Town,  who  should  act  when  called  on,  in  all  prosecutions  to  be 
Commenced  for  breach  of  the  By-Laws,  and  to  whom  the  in- 
spector of  the  Police  and  all  other  Officers  of  the  Town  Should 
apply,  when  Needful,  for  Advice  and  direction  free  of  Expence  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  297 

The  Committee  are  therefore  of  Opinion,  That  it  will  be  Ex- 
pedient for  the  Purpose  of  Carrying  the  said  By  Laws  into  Effect, 
That  the  Town  should  Pass  the  following  Votes  Viz*. 

Whereas  doubts  have  Arisen  in  the  Minds  of  the  Justices  of  the 
Peace  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  residing  within  the  Town  of 
Boston,  of  their  Authority  to  Sustain  and  try  Prosecutions  for 
breaches  of  the  By-Laws  of  the  said  Town,  and  other  Laws  apper- 
taining to  the  Government  of  the  same,  in  Cases  where  the  Pen- 
alties may  Accrue  for  The  benefit  of  the  inhabitants  thereof ; 
Voted,  that  application  be  made  to  the  Legislature  of  the  Common- 
wealth, Stating  the  Difficulties  thence  resulting  in  Carrying  the  Said 
By-Laws  into  Effect,  Praying,  if  they  think  proper,  that  the  Au- 
thority of  such  Justices  may  be  declared  to  be  Competent,  to  the 
Sustaining,  Trying  &  determining  of  such  Prosecutions  ;  or  direct 
such  A  mode  of  Process  as  they  think  Proper,  in  order  that  the 
By-Laws  may  be  duly  Executed,  Agreeable  to  the  Genius  & 
Spirit  of  The  present  Constitution  of  the  Town.  And  as  it  is  of 
The  greatest  importance  to  the  due  Execution  of  our  By  Laws, 
That  the  inspectors  of  the  Police,  be  men,  not  only  of  good 
moral  [£593.]  Character,  But  of  known  Stability,  firmness  of 
mind  and  Laudable  zeal  for  the  good  order  of  the  Town — 

Voted,  That  previous  to  the  appointment  of  Such  Officer  or 
Officers  of  Police  by  the  Selectmen,  A  Nomination  list  shall 
be  hung  up  in  the  Selectmens  room  One  month  before  the  Choice 
is  made,  in  order  that  every  inhabitant  of  the  Town,  so  inclining, 
may  Enter  the  Name  of  one  Candidate  thereon  ;  and  the  Select- 
men are  required  to  Elect  by  Ballot,  from  such  nomination  List, 
on  the  first  Wednesday  of  May  Next,  and  afterwards  on  the  Third 
Wednesday  of  March  Annually,  one  or  more  Persons  for  the  afore- 
said Office,  —  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  Patrol  The  Town  from^ 
time  to  time,  and  to  Prosecute  in  behalf,  and  at  the  Expence  of 
the  Town  (first  Advising  with  The  Town- Attorney  if  Necessary) 
before  any  Justice  of  the  Peace,  all  breaches  of  the  By-Laws  that 
may  come  to  his  or  their  knowledge,  either  by  his  or  their  own 
Observation,  or  by  the  information  of  Others.  And  the  officer,  or 
Officers  of  the  Police  are  hereby  directed  to  keep  an  Office  in  or 
Near  the  Market  Place,  to  be  provided  by  the  Selectmen,  at  which 
he  or  they,  or  Some  Person  acting  under  him  or  them,  Shall  daily 
Attend  (Lords  clays  or  days  set  Aside  for  Public  Worship  Ex- 
cepted) from  the  Hours  of  Eleven  to  One  O'Clock,  in  order  that 
the  Inhabitants  may  with  Greater  facility  give  Notice  to  him  or 
them  of  any  Breaches  of  the  By-Laws.  The  said  Officer  or 
Officers  of  Police  are  directed  to  make  Weekly  returns  of  his 
or  their  doings  to  the  Selectmen.  Voted  that  an  Attorney  be 
appointed  by  the  Town  by  written  Votes  at  the  March  meeting 
[394.]  Annually,  who  shall  be  empowered  to  appear  before  any 
Court  in  all  Prosecutions  for  a  breach  of  the  By-Laws  when 
Necessary.     Also  to  Commence  and  Prosecute  under  the  direc- 


298  City  Document. 

tion  of  the  Selectmen  in  any  Court  of  Law,  any  Suit  or  Action, 
in  behalf  of  the  Town,  and  to  defend  any  Suit  or  Action  Com- 
menced Against  the  Town.  The  Officer  or  Officers  of  the  Police, 
and  all  other  officers  of  The  town  shall  have  A  right  to  the  opinion 
aud  advice  of  the  said  Town- Attorney  upon  any  Legal  question, 
relative  to  the  Execution  of  their  respective  offices,  or  to  any 
Prosecutions  for  the  breach  of  the  said  By-Laws,  free  of  all 
Expence  — 

Voted  That  The  Town-Attorney  receive  an  Adequate  Compen- 
sation for  his  Services,  by  an  allowance  to  be  granted  him  by  the 
town  in  March  meeting  annually. 

And  the  more  effectually  to  enable  the  officer  or  officers  of  Police 
to  pay  due  attention  to  the  duties  of  his  or  their  office  : 
Voted, — As  the  Sense  of  the  Town,  that  the  Selectmen  make 
ample  and  liberal  allowance  to  the  officer  or  officers  of  Police,  as 
a  compensation  for  his  or  their  services  —  to  be  paid  quarterly. 
The  said  officer  or  officers  of  Police  to  take  an  Oath,  and  give 
bonds  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  his  or  their  Duty. 

Voted —  that  the  Officer  or  Officers  of  Police,  and  Town  At- 
torney, from  time  to  time  as  they  may  Discover  Any  Additions 
to,  or  any  Amendments  in  the  By-Laws  to  be  necessary  (in  their 
opinion)  for  the  better  Government  of  The  Town,  shall  Lay  the 
same  before  the  Selectmen,  who  if  they  see  cause,  shall  publish 
the  Same  in  two  Several  News  papers  for  the  more  deliberate 
consideration  of  the  inhabitants,  in  order  that  the  Town  may 
conduct  [395.]  Thereon  at  their  Annual  meetings  in  March  or 
May,  as  to  them  shall  appear  proper;  Providing  always  that 
such  Proposed  Additions  or  amendments  be  published  at  Least 
Seven  days  Previous  to  Such  Meetings  — 

Voted — That  all  Officers  of  the  Town  Elected  by  The  Select- 
men, Shall  in  future  be  Chosen  by  them  by  Written  Votes. 

Also  that  application  be  made  to  the  Legislature,  That  it  may 
be  the  duty  of  the  Selectmen,  and  that  they  be  empowered  To 
Remove  from  Office,  any  Officer  appointed  by  The  Town,  Or  the 
said  Selectmen,  who  shall  be  Convicted  by  Two  Credible  Wit- 
nesses of  Fraud  or  Misdemeanors  in  his  Office,  in  Any  Court  of 
Law,  and  another  be  Appointed  in  his  Stead —  saving  always 
the  right  of  appeal,  Agreeable  to  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth. 
And  whereas  the  mode  Adopted  .for  disposing  of  the  Office  of 
Hay-weigher  At  Auction  has  not  Proved  A  beneficial  Measure  to 
the  Town.  — 

Voted.  That  the  Hay-weigher  be  hereafter  Appointed  by  the 
Selectmen,  and  the  said  Hay-weigher  is  Directed  to  lay  before 
them  Quarterly,  An  Account  under  Oath,  of  the  quantity  of  Hay 
weighed,  and  the  Money  received  by  him  in  that  Office,  and  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  299 

Selectmen  are  empowered  to  allow  him  the  Sum  of  £.  [blank] 
^r.  Annum  for  his  Services,  he  Producing  A  receipt  that  he  has 
paid  the  residue  of  the  money  so  received  by  him  into  the  Town 
Treasury.  —  And  whereas  The  Town  at  a  Late  meeting  did  direct 
the  Selectmen  to  Erect  A  Number  of  Additional  Stalls  in  Faneuil 
Hall  Market,  agreeable  to  A  Plan  Laid  before  the  Town  [296.] 
Which  will  render  it  inconvenient  to  dispose  of  said  Market  by 
Auction  the  Ensuing  Year,  — 

Therefore,  Voted  That  A  Clerk  of  said  Market  be  appointed 
by  the  Town  the  Next  year,  and  that  he  be  directed  to  lay  before 
the  Selectmen  upon  Oath,  the  money  received  in  that  Office ; 
and  the  Selectmen  are  empowered  to  Allow  him  The  Sum  of 
£  [blank]  for  his  services,  he  producing  A  Receipt  in  Like  man- 
ner as  the  Hay-weigher. 

Voted.  That  the  General  account  of  receipts  and  Expendi- 
tures of  all  Public  money  to  be  read  in  open  Town  Meeting  in 
March  Annualy. 

And  Whereas  great  expenses  Yearly  Accrue  to  the  Town  by 
the  heavy  Loads  of  Manure  which  are  Carried  through  The  Town, 
to  the  great  Damage  of  the  Streets  and  Highways  : 

Voted  That  application  be  made  to  the  Legislature  to  empower 
the  Town  to  make  such  Regulations  as  to  prevent  in  future  such 
damages  to  the  Streets  and  Highways,  Particularly  to  prohibit 
a  greater  Load  then  one  Ton  weight,  of  such  Manure  being  Car- 
ried Through  the  Town,  by  any  Person  or  Persons  whatever. 

And  Whereas  from  the  Late  deranged  State  of  the  Town,  in 
Execution  of  the  By-Laws,  many  Evils  have  Arisen  by  the  Prac- 
tice of  Forestalling  in  our  Markets  :  — Unruly  driving  of  Horses 
within  the  Town  :  —  using  unseal'd.  weights  and  Measures  in  the 
the  Market :  —  Impositions  in  the  Sale  of  Fire-wood  :  —  and 
Excessive  Weight  carried  on  Trucks  and  Carts  :  — 

Voted — That  it  be  recommended,  and  it  is  hereby  recom- 
mended [297.]  To  the  Inhabitants,  to  give  information  to  the 
Inspector  or  Inspectors  of  Police,  of  all  Persons  who  shall  Con- 
tinue in  Such  Practices,  that  they  may  be  prosecuted  agreeable  to 
the  By-Laws  Of  the  Town. 

And  it  is  further  Recommended,  That  each  Inhabitant  would 
Exert  himself  to  put  into  Execution  a  Law  of  this  Commonwealth 
for  Preventing  Persons  obtruding  themselves  on  any  Particular 
Town,  by  giving  Information  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  residence 
of  such  Persons,  that  they  may  be  duly  warned  out  of  the  Town, 
Whereby  a  great  Expence  in  the  Maintenance  of  the  poor  would 
be  saved,  and  our  Town  Taxes  greatly  Lessened. 

Voted,  —  That  The  Inspector  or  Inspectors  of  Police  be  par- 
ticularly enjoined  To  take  care  that  the  Law  of  the  Common- 
wealth against  bringing  into  any  Town  by  Water,  any  Cord  wood. 
Less  in  Length  than  four  feet,  including  half  the  Cart;  and 
against  any  Wharfingers  Carting  such  Wood,  or  Employing  any 


800  City  Document. 

Cart  or  Sled  not  Marked  &  Numbered  by  a  Sealer  of  Wood,  as 
by  Law  Provided,  be  carried  faithfully  into  Execution. 

Voted  That  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town  be,  and  they  are  hereby 
Directed  to  make  Application  to  the  Legislature  for  the  Several 
Purposes  Expressed  in  the  foregoing  Votes  at  their  first  Session 

'  The  above  Report  is  Submitted  to  the  Consideration  of  the 
Town 

Benjamin  Austin  Junr. 
fr.  Order  — 

[298.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legaly  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  On  Wednes- 
day the  6th.  day  of  June.  Anno  Domini  1792  10.  O  Clock.  A  :  M : 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Precept  for  Choice  of  Two  Representatives  also  read  — 

The  Town  having  by  Vote  Determined  to  Choose  Two  Persons 
to  Represent  them  in  the  General  Court  in  the  room  of  the  Hon- 
orable Thomas  Dawes  &  Benjamin  Austin  Jun1'.  Esqr.  who  are 
Elected  to  A  Seat  in  the  Honl,le  Senate,  Agreeably  to  A  Precept 
received  for  Said  Purpose  — 

The  Inhabitants  are  directed  by  the  Selectmen  to  withdraw  and 
bring  in  their  Votes  for  two  Representatives.  Accordingly; 
And  then  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen,  that  no  Votes  would 
received,  but  such  as  are  unfolded ;  And  that  they  intend  the  Poll 
shall  be  Closed  at  12.  O'Clock.  Bells  to  be  toll'd  a  Little  before 
that  time  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  two  Representatives.  The  Num- 
ber of  the  same  was  found  to  be  Two  hundred  &  Thirty  Nine  & 
upon  Sorting  them  it  appeared  the  following  G-entlemen  had  Ob- 
tained A  Majority  of  Votes  Viz*. 

Joseph  Blake  Esqr. 128,, 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr.     -     -     -     -     -     126,, 

[299.]  Declaration  was  then  made  to  the  Town  by  the  Se- 
lectmen, That  the  aforenamed  two  Gentlemen  were  Chosen 
Representatives,  by  A  Majority  of  Votes. — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  301 

At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  others  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legaly  Warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  4* 
day  of  July.  Anno  Domini  1792.  at  9.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

William  Cooper  was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Committee  appointed  the  Last  Year  to  make  Choice  of  A 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary  of  Inde- 
pendence 

Reported  that  they  had  made  Choice  of  Mr.  Joseph  Blake  Junr. 
who  had  Accepted  — 

On  Motion  Voted.  That  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old 
Brick  Church,  as  Liberty  therefor  having  been  OJbtain'd  — 

[300.]  Voted.  That  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  do  Acquaint 
Mr.  Blake  with  the  aforegoing  Vote  — 

The  meeting  was  then  Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Old  Brick 
meeting  house,  at  12.  O'Clock  this  day  — 

AN    ORATION. 

To  Commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was 
delivered  by  Mr.  Blake  Junr.  at  the  Old  Brick  Church 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  ap- 
pointed A  Committee  to  Wait  on  Mr.  Joseph  Blake  Junr.  And  in 
the  Name  of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the  Spirited  and  Elegant 
Oration  this  day  delivered  by  him  At  the  request  of  the  Town 
upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
of  America  in  which  According  to  the  Institution  of  the  Town  he 
Considered  The  feelings  manner  and  Principles  which  Led  to  that 
Great  National  Event,  &  to  request  of  him  A  Copy  Thereof  for 
the  Press  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  be  and 
hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Apply  to  Some  one  learned 
and  able  Gentlemen  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4-  day  of  July 
Anno  Domini  1793.  That  day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America  wherein  the  Orator  is 
to  consider  the  feelings  Manners  and  Principles  which  Led  to  this 
great  National  Event,  as  well  as  the  Important  [301.]  and 
happy  effects  whether  General  or  Domestic,  which  have  Already, 
and  will  forever  Continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  The  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


302  City  Document. 

At  A  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  The  Other  Inhabitants  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legaly  Warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Thursday  the  9th. 
day  of  Aug*.  A  :  D  :  1792  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting — read 

Hon?^  Thomas  Dawes  Sen1.  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A 
hand  Vote,  but  he  informing  the  Town  by  the  Constable  Sent 
that  he  could  not  Attend 

Ezekiel  Price  Esq1,  was  then  Chosen  but  upon  his  declining 
Thomas  Craft  Esqr.  — 
Was  Chosen  Moderator  for  this  meeting  by  A  hand  Vote. 

On  Motion  Adjourned  to  the  Old  South  Church  A  Number  of 
the  Committee  of  that  Church  Present  having  given  their  Consent 
therefor  — 

The  Article  of  the  Warrant  being  read,  together  with  the  repre- 
sentation of  A  Number  of  the  [302.]  Inhabitants  relative  to 
the  Small  Pox  A  Lengthy  Debate  took  place  thereon,  Whereupon 
it  was  moved 

That  the  Selectmen  continue  their  Exertions  to  prevent  the 
Spreading  of  the  Small  Pox  in  this  Town  by  taking  up  A  House 
or  Houses  and  making  other  Suitable  Provision  for  the  reception 
and  Accomodation  for  such  Person  or  Persons  as  Now  have  or 
may  hereafter  be  taken  with  the  Small  Pox  — 

The  Question  being  put  Accordingly  Passed  in  the  Affirmative 
by  A  great  Majority  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting,  the  29*^  of  Aug*.  Anno  Domini  1792.  Assembled  at 
Faneuil  Hall  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

Thomas  Craft  Esqr.  Chosen  Moderator  By  A  hand  Vote  — 

Petitions  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

[303.]  The  Selectmen  then  give  the  Inhabitants  their 
opinion  of  the  Present  State  of  the  Small  Pox.  in  this  Town  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  303 

On  Motion,  The  Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town 
do  not  think  it  Expedient  that  A  General  Inoculation  should  take 
place  immediately  —  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  by  A  great  Ma- 
jority — 

Moved  and  Voted  that  A  Committee  be  now  appointed  to  take 
into  Consideration  and  to  Report  at  The  Adjournment  Such 
Measures  as  they  shall  Judge  Necessary  to  be  taken  by  the  Town 
on  the  occasion,  and  for  the  relief  and  Assistance  of  the  Poor  in 
Passing  through  the  Small  Pox.  — 

Voted,  That  — 

That  the  Honble  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esq1'. 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Harrison  G.  Otis  Esqr. 
Stephen  Goreham  Esq1'. 
Revd.  Doctr.  Lothrop 
Joseph  Russell  Treasurer 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Said  Purpose  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  That  the  Town  Clerk  be  desired  to  Attend 
the  Committee  for  to  give  Such  Information  as  may  be  Needed  — 
Adjourned  to  3.  O' Clock  P  :  M  :  — 

[304.]  At  3.  O'Clock.  P:  M:  Town  met  according  to  the 
Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Consideration  of  the 
Measures  Expedient  to  be  Adopted  by  the  Town,  in  the  Present 
State  of  the  small  Pox,  beg  Leave  to  report  the  following 
Votes.  — 

"  That  all  Persons,  as  well  inhabitants  of  the  Town  as  Coming 
from  the  Country,  be  Permitted  to  receive  the  Small  Pox  by 
inoculation  at  any  time  —  from  this  day,  untill  the  fifteenth  day 
of  September  Next,  and  not  afterwards,  and  that  from  &  after 
that  Period  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  requested  to  Adopt 
the  most  prudent  and  Usual  measures — for  Cleansing  the  Town 
from  Infection,  and  to  Prevent  any  further  Inoculation,  while  the 
Present  Laws  —  Against  it  are  in  force." 

That  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be  requested  to  devise  and 
Pursue  the  most  discreet  and  Prudent  measures  for  the  comfort- 
able supply  of  such  of  the  Poor  Inhabitants  as  may  receive  the 
disorder  who  are  unable  to  Provide  for  themselves,  to  Engage 
Physicians  for  their  respective  wards  Accordingly.  And  that  all 
Expences  incurred  in  this  Service  be  defrayed,  out  of  the 
Treasury  of  the  Town  — 


304  City  Document. 

That  the  Sum  of  Nine  Shillings  be  Allowed  to  The  Physicians. 
of  The  Town  for  Inoculating  [305.]  And  medicines  and  Attend- 
ing daring  the  Progress  of  this  disorder,  Each  poor  Inhabitant, 
who  in  the  Opinion  of  the  Overseers,  may  be  Unable  to  Provide 
for  himself  — 

That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  Continue  the  Guards  at  the 
Hospital  untill  Next  Thursday  week  —  at  sunset,  And  Your 
Comittee  further  Report,  that  in  their  opinion,  The  following 
Vote  will  be  Conducive  to  the  best  interest  of  this  Town. 

That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  make  application  to  the 
Legislature  for  the  repeal  of  all  Laws  Now  Existing  against 
Inoculation,  after  the  first  of  June  Next  all  which  is  respectfully 
Submitted 

Thos.  Dawes  ^r.  order  — 

The  Aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  Considered  and 
the  Question  being  Put.  Whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted, 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  —  By  A  Large  Majority  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[306.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Friday  the 
28th.  day  of  September  Anno  Domini.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting — read  — 

Hon^l£  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Chosen  Moderator  by  A  Hand  Vote.  — 

The  Votes  being  Brought  in  for  A  Collector  of  Taxes  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard  who  has  resigned,  it  Appeared 
that.  — 

Mr.  Benjamin  Jepson  was  Chosen  Collector  of  Taxes  for  the 
Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*,  to  Consider  Application  of 
the  Collectors  that  A  further  Allowance  —  may  be  made  them  for 
their  Services  —  read  — 

Whereupon  Voted.  That 

Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Honble  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  to  take  the  Application  of  the  Collectors  for  A 
further  allowance    for  their    Services  as  Collectors  And  Report 
thereon  at  the  Adjournment  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  305 

[307.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*. — What  measures 
shall  be  taken  for  the  Speedy  Clearing  the  Town  from  the  Infec- 
tions of  the  Small  Pox  was  read  and  after  Some  Debate—  Voted 
That  A  Committee  of  Forty  Eight  Persons  —  four  of  Each  Ward 
be  immediately  appointed  For  to  Assist  the  Selectmen  and  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  in  Each  Ward  whose  business  it  shall  be  to 
repair  to  Every  House  in  their  respective  wards,  To  ask  the  fol- 
lowing Questions  and  to  take  down  the  Answers  in  Writing  — 
Viz*. 

Who  Lives  in  this  House,  and  what  is  the  Name  of  the  Head 
of  the  family  — 

How  many  Persons  in  this  house  have  had  the  Small  Pox, 
both  Whites  and  blacks,  The  Natural  way  and  by  Inoculation  & 
how  many  of  Each  have  died  —  How  many  Persons  from  the 
Country  have  had  the  Small  Pox  in  this  House,  and  how  many 
of  them  Came  from  the  Countrey  after  the  15th.  day  of  September 
Last.  There  Names  and  by  Whom  Inoculated  — 

How  many  are  now  Sick,  and  how  many  that  have  not  had  the 
Small  Pox,  The  Number  that  have  now  had  it  that  supposed  that 
they  had  received  it  before ;  —  And  that  the  Constables  of  the 
Town  Attend  the  selectmen  and  Overseers  in  Said  Walk,  &  they 
are  also  directed  to  take  the  most  Effectual  Method  to  cause  the 
houses  in  the  Several  Wards  to  be  well  Cleansed  from  the  Infec- 
tion &  make  report  of  their  doings  at  the  Adjournment.  That 
such  of  the  Revd-  Clergy  as  desire  it,  be  requested  to  attend  the 
Committee 

[308.]  Article  relative  to  Mr.  Cheney  and  his  Other  appli- 
cations, read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted.  That  Mr.  Cheney's  and  the  other  applications,  be 
referred  over  to  the  School  Committee  — 

Voted.  That  the  following  Persons  be  A  Committee  of  Visit 
and  also  for  taking  the  State  Of  The  Small  Pox  —  Viz*. 

Ward  —  N°.     1.     Messrs.  Benjamin  Jepson 

Josiah  Snelling 
Jonas  Welch 
Thomas  Adams 

Ward  —  N°.     2  —  Cap*.  Edward  Tyler 
Cap*.  Jacob  Rhoades 
Mr.  John  Page 
Mr.  Alexander  Hill 

Ward  —  N°.     3  —  Thomas  Symmes  Esqr. 
Mr.  Josiah  Eliot 
Joseph  Crocker  Esqr. 
Cap*.  Samuel  Howard 


306  City  Document. 

Ward  —  N°.    4  —  Dea  —  Gibbons  Sharp 
Mr.  William  Sherburne 
Mr.  Nathaniel  Austin 
Mr.  Joseph  Kettle 

Ward  —  N°.     5  —  Harbottle  Dorr  Esqr. 
Mr.  Thomas  Hitchborn 
Mr.  Hopestill  Capen 
Mr.  William  Homes 

[309.]     Ward  —  N°.     6  —  Honble.  Benjamin  Austin  Jr.  Esqr. 

Coll  —  Samuel  Bradford 
Mr.  John  Kneeland 
Mr.  Isaac  Winslow 

Ward  —  N°.     7  —  Joseph  Blake  Esqr. 
Mr.  Elisha  Sigorney 
Mr.  Ephraim  Copeland 
Mr.  Moses  Grant 

Ward  —  N°.     8  —  Mr.  David  Austin 

Mr.  Samuel  Belknap  Junr. 
Mr.  Samuel  Torrey 
Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

Ward  —  N°.    9  —  Nath1.  Balch  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edwd.  Davis 
John  Andrews  Esqr. 
Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 

Ward  —  N°.  10  —  Coll—  John  Winslow 
Samuel  Cooper  Esqr. 
Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 
Coll  — John  Boyle 

Ward  —  N°.  1 1  —  Mr.  John  Tileston 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes 
Cap*.  Nathan1.  Fellows 
General  Donnison 

Ward  — N°.  12  —  Maf.  R.  Davis 
John  Lucas  Esqr. 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr 
Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  the  8th.  day  of  October  Next — 10.  O'Clock 
A:M: 

[310.]     Monday  October  8th.   1792.   10.  O'Clock  The  Town 
Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  307 

The  Committee  to  take  the  State  of  the  Town  with  respect  to 
the  Small  Tax  Reported  — 

That  on  Thursday  and  friday  Last.  The  Selectmen  and  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor  Accompanied  with  The  Clergy,  and  Several 
other  Gentlemen  appointed  by  the  Town,  for  the  purpose,  Visited 
all  the  families  in  the  Several  Wards  in  this  Town  in  order  to 
take  A  Particular  account  of  the  State  of  the  Small  Pox.  Which 
is  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

8804.   Number  of  Whites  Inoculated 
158  Died 
214  Whites  in  the  Natural  way  — 

27  Died  — 
348  Blacks  Inoculated 
7  Died 
18  Blacks  the  Natural  way 
6  Died  — 
1038  Number  from  the  Countrey 
262  Number  removed  from  out  of  Town 
221  Subject  to  the  distemper 
181  Number  Now  Sick  — 

It  is  to  be  Observed,  that  the  Number  said  to  be  subject  to  this 
disorder  are  221.  In  these  are  Included  many  Children  who 
have  been  inoculated  sometime  Since  and  said  to  be  subject  to 
the  disorder  because  their  parents  feel  anxious  and  doubtfull 
[311.]  Whether  they  have  had  it,  if  they  have  had  it,  It  was  in 
A  Very  Slight  degree.  Of  Those  who  are  said  to  be  sick  it  is 
also  to  be  observed  that  many  of  those  were  then  so  Nearly 
recovered  of  the  Distemper  that  they  are  now  well,  and  the  others 
fast  recovering  so  that  there  is  the  greatest  Probability  that  the 
Town  will  very  Soon  be  free  of  Infection.  The  Town  then 
Passed  the  following  Votes. 

Voted  Unanimously.  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  take 
measures  to  Cleanse  the  Town  of  the  Small  Pox  as  Soon  as  Pos- 
sible — 

Voted  Unanimously  the  Selectmen  Be  requested  to  take  all 
Legal  measures  for  the  removal  of  all  Such  Persons  who  do  not 
belong  to  This  town  and  who  have  taken  the  Small  Pox  Since  the 
fifteenth  day  of  September  Last,  to  the  Town  where  they  belong 
if  it  can  be  done,  and  when  it  Cannot  be  done,  for  to  remove 
them  to  the  Pest  House  — 

The  Town  having  granted  an  Indulgence  to  the  People  of 
Other  Towns  to  receive  inoculation  in  This  Town,  And  being 
informed  that  Some  Persons  have  Come  into  The  Town  for  that 
Purpose    Since    the    time   was   Expired.      The   Town   therefore 


308  City  Document. 

unanimously  Resolves.  That  they  Consider  such  Conduct  as  A 
high  Insult  upon  the  inhabitants  and  that  they  will  take  [312.] 
Spirited  measures  to  Shew  there  disapprobation  of  and  to  Prevent 
such  Conduct  — 

Voted.  That  the  Several  Physicians  in  the  Town  be  requested 
to  make  return  to  the  Chairman  of  the  Selectmen  on  Tuesday  & 
Friday  of  the  number  of  those  who  are  sick  of  the  Small  Pox 

Voted  that  the  Selectmen  &  Overseers  of  the  Poor  be  requested 
with  Such  and  so  many  Gentlemen  as  they  may  Choose  to  Invite 
to  make  another  Visitation  of  the  families  in  this  Town,  in  man- 
ner Similar  to  the  Last,  at  Such  a  time  as  they  may  think  Proper. 
So  as  to  Report  to  the  Town  an  Accurate  Statement  of  the  Small 
Pox  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  on  the  Application  of  the  Collectors,  for  an 
Augmentation  of  their  Premium  — 

Report.  That  two  of  your  Committee  within  Named,  have 
Attended  the  Application  of  the  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  an 
Additional  Premium,  and  after  duly  Considering  the  Same  are  of 
Opinion  that  five  per  Cent  is  Adequate  to  .their  Services  — 

Herman  Brimmer 
Caleb  Davis 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read  And  Considered  The 
Question  was  put.  Viz*.  [313.]  Whether  the  Town  will  Accept 
the  said  report 

Passed  in  the  Affirmative 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  A  Collector  of  Taxes  in  the 
room  of  Caleb  Blanchard  who  has  resigned  it  Appeared  that  — 
Mr.  Benjamin  Jepson  was  Chosen  A  Collector  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  The  22d.  of  October  Instant  10.  O'Clock 
A  :  M  :  — 

Monday  The  22d.  day  of  October  Town  met  According  to  Ad- 
journment — 

The  Committee  to  make  A  return  of  the  State  of  the  Small  Pox 
in  this  Town,  Reported  That  Sixty  two  Persons  were  Sick  of  the 
Distemper  but  that  Three  of  Those  had  been  removed  to  the 
Almshouse.  Forty  of  them  were  almost  well,  That  of  those  who 
had  been  inoculated  there  had  died  179.  And  of  those  who  had 
received  the  Distemper  in  the  Natural  way  69  had  Deceased  mak- 
ing the  whole  number  of  those  who  have  as  yet  died  of  the  Small 
Pox  248  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  309 

The  Town  having  considered  the  aforegoing  Report  Passed  the 
four  following  Votes  —  Viz*. 

Whereas  it  Appears  from  the  returns  made  this  day  On  the 
State  of  the  Small  Pox,  That  the  Town  may  be  Cleansed  of  all 
infection  in  the  Course  of  the  Present  Week 

[314,]  Voted  that  the  Selectmen  he  requested  to  take  effec- 
tual measures  for  cleansing  the  Town  in  the  Course  of  the  Present 
week,  And  they  cause  such  Persons  as  are  now,  or  may  hereafter 
be  infected  w^?  that  disease  to  be  removed  as  Soon  as  may  be  to 
the  Hospital  at  West  Boston  and  that  usual  Signals  be  Provided 
—  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  also  requested  to  Erect  Smoke 
houses  at  the  Neck  and  at  such  other  Places  as  they  may  think 
necessary  for  Cleansing  Such  Persons  as  shall  come  from  Hospi- 
tals and  other  infected  houses  in  the  Neighbouring  Towns,  And 
to  give  Public  Notice  of  the  Same,  and  when  the  Town  shall  be 
free  from  any  Infection,  Voted  That  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to 
remove  all  such  Persons  coming  by  Water  as  shall  be  Infected 
with  the  Small  Pox  by  inoculation  or  in  the  Natural  way  to 
Rainsfords  Island  at  their  Own  Expence  if  Able,  and  the  Inhabi- 
tants be  desired  to  Inform  the  Selectmen  of  all  Persons  who  shall 
be  Infected  with  that  Disease  in  future  — 

Voted  That  from  and  after  the  22d.  day  Of  October  Instant, 
any  Person  inoculating  for  the  Small  Pox  in  the  Town  or  on 
board  any  Vessel  in  the  Harbour  or  who  may  receive  into  their 
family — [315.]  Any  Person  thus  inoculated,  shall  be  declared 
an  Enemy  to  the  Welfare  and  Security  of  This  Town  and  their 
Names  Published  by  the  Selectmen  as  Such  — 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  remaining  Unfinished  at  this 
meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting  that 
may  or  shall  be  Called  — 

Voted  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  Given 
To  the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1',  for  his  good  Services,  As 
A  Moderator  of  This  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[316.]  is  blank. 

[317.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  Qualified  to  Vote  for  Representatives 
To  the  General  Court  of  this  Commonwealth  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Friday 
the  2d.  day  of  November  Anno  Domini  1792.  10.  O'Clock. 
A  :  M  :  — 


310 


City  Document. 


Prayer  was  made  by  The  Revd.  Doctr.  Stillrnan  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read. 

Paragraphs  of  Resolves  of  the  General  Court  for  the  Choice  of 
Representatives  for  the  Next  Congress  of  the  United  States,  and 
for  Electors  of  President  and  Vice  President  —  read  — 

It  was  Then  Declared  by  the  Selectmen  That  the  Poll  would 
be  Closed  by  the  Selectmen  at  12.  O 'Clock.  The  votes  to  be 
received  at  the  Table  and  the  Bells  to  begin  Tolling  at  12. 
O'Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Representatives  for  the  Next  Congress 
of  the  United  States  — 
1st  District  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  —  Viz*. 

Votea 

Honble.  Fisher  Ames  Esqr. 371 

Honble.  Benjamin  Austin  Jr.  Esqr.  -     -     -     -     -  330 

Honble.  Stephen  Higginson  Esqr. 6 

[318.]  Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 1 

James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 5 

William  Eustis  Esqr. 2 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esq1".       ...-__       6 
Mr.  Samuel  Brown 1. 


For  the  County  of  Essex  Honble.  Benja.  Goodhue  Esqr. 

Edward  Pullin    -     - 

For  County  Middlesex  Samuel  Dexter      -     -     -  Junr 

Honble.  Joseph  B  Varnum  -     - 

Honble.  Ebenezer  Bridge  -     - 

Honble.  John  Brooks  -     -  -     - 

Honble.  Eleazer  Brooks  -  -     - 

James  Winthrop  -     - 


-     - 

722 

Esqr. 

1 

Esq. 

637 

Esqr. 

69 

Esqr. 

7 

Esq1". 

11 

Esq1". 

4 

Esq1'. 

1 

For  the  Three  Counties  }  John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  -     -     -     -  410 

or  the  District  J  James  Bowdoin  Esqr.       -     -     -     -  194 

Hon?!?    William  Heath  Esq1".   -     -     -     ■•     -   114 

William  Eustis  Esq1". 3 

Honble.  Benj?  Austin  Junr.  Esq1".       ...       1 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq1".   -----       4 

Honble.  Fisher  Ames  Esqr.       -----       l 

For  the  Commonwealth  )  Honble.  Davd.  Cobb  Esqr.     -     -     -  403 

at  Large  Except  Maine  j  Honble.  William  Heath  Esqr.     -     -  187 

Honble.  James  Warren  Esq1".      -     -   100 

James  Bowdoin  Esq1'.    -     -     16 

John  C.  Jones  Esq1".       -     -       5 

Honble.  Stephen  Higginson  Esq1".    -       1 

[319.]  William  Eustis  Esq r.     -     -       3 

Mr.  Samuel  Brown    -     -     -       1 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  311 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Electors  of  the  President  And  Vice 
President  of  The  United  States 

Votes 

First  District  Honble.  Azor  Orne  Esqr. 693. 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1.    -     -     -     -  662 

Honble.  Samuel  Phillips  Esqr.    ....  388 

Honble.  Increase  Sumner 418 

Honble.  Fras.  Dana  Esqr. 365 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  301 

Hon5j2   Samuel  Holten 292 

Richd.  Devens  Esqr.      -     -     -     -  229 

Honble.  Eleazer  Brooks 132 

Honble.  Thomas  Russell 50 

James  Winthrop  Esqr.        ...  34. 

Theoph8.  Parsons  Esqr.      ...  15 

Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 6 

James  Bowdoin  Esq1.   -     -     -     -  2 

John  C.  Jones  Esq1'.     -     -     -     -  2 

His  Honr.  the  Lieu*.  Govern1.  -     -     -  1 

Honble.  Rob*.  Paine  Esqr. 4 

Honble.  Stephen  Higginson 2 

Honble.  William  Heath 2 

Honble.  James  Sullivan  Esq1-.     -     -     -     -  1 

Honble.  William  Sheppard 2 

[320.]  Mr.  Jeremiah  Bumstead 

Honble.  Oliver  Prescott  Esqr.    -     -     -     - 

Honble.  Levi  Lincoln  Esq1'. 

HonbIe.  Cotton  Tuffts  Esqr. 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr.     -     - 

William  Eustis  Esq1'.    -     -     -     - 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  Lieu*. 
Governor  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were  Com- 
mitted to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  and  the  Inclosures 
Sealed  up  in  the  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
For  John  Avery  Esqr.  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massa- 
chusets  — 

List  of  Votes,  of  Representatives  for  the  Next  Congress  of  the 
United  States  from  the  Town  of  Boston  in  the  first  District.  The 
above  in  A  Circumflex  was  Wrote  on  the  first  Inclosure  — 

On  the  2d.  Inclosure  directed  as  above  as  follows  Viz*. 

A  Copy  of  the  List  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  with  the  Number 
of  Votes  for  Each  Person  against  his  Name  as  Electors  of  Presi- 
dent &  Vice  President  of  the  United  States,  and  Sealed  up  in 
Town  Meeting  at  Boston  November  the  2d.  1792.  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


312  City  Document. 

[321.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Friday 
the  21st.  day  of  December  Anno  Domini  1792.  10.  O'Clock 
A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 
was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Town  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for  A  Fire  ward  in 
the  room  of  Samuel  Breck  Esqr.  removed  To  Another  State.  — 

William  Scollay  Esqr.  was  Chosen  Fire  Ward 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  A  State  house  —  read  — 

Whereupon  Voted  —  That  William  Tudor  Esqr. 

William  Eustis  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

Mr.  Daniel  Austin 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 

Treasurer  Russell 
Be  A  Committee  to  take  this  Article   into  Consideration   and 
report  at  the  Adjournment  what  they  Judge  Proper  to  be  done 
thereon  — 

[322.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  Mill  Pond 
and  Mills.  — read  — 

and  after  debate  was  moved  and  voted  that  the  Town  will  not 
Act  thereon  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  Law,  Prohibiting 
Theatrical  Entertainments  —  read  And  after  Some  debate 
thereon  — 

Voted  :  That  five  Persons  be  A  Committee  Appointed  to  Pre- 
pare A  Petition  and  Remonstrance  to  the  General  Court  against 
The  Act  Prohibiting  Stage  Plays,  and  other  Theatrical  Entertain- 
ments And  to  effect  the  repeal  thereof  and  to  report  Any  resolu- 
tions or  other  Matters  relative  to  the  Subject  which  it  may  be 
Proper  for  the  Town  to  Adopt  —  Voted  ;  That 

John  Lucas  Esqr. 

Henry  Jackson  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Esqr. 

Abiel  Smith  Esqr 
Be  A  Committee  for  that  Purpose  to  Report  as  soon  as  may  be  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  313 

The  above  Committee  Soon  reported  As  follows  —  Viz*. 

To' The  Honorable  Senate  and  Honorable  House  of  Represen- 
tatives in  General  Court  Assembled  January  1793.  — 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  BOSTON  in  Town  —  Meeting 
Assembled,  take  Leave  respectfully  to  remonstrate  —  That  they 
Consider  the  Law  [323.]  Prohibiting  Stage  Plays,  Interludes, 
and  other  Theatrical  Entertainments,  made  Antecedent  to  the 
Establishment  of  our  Present  free  and  happy  form  of  Govern- 
ment, as  unconstitutional,  inexpedient  and  absurd:  Unconstitu- 
tional, Because  among  the  Natural  and  Unalienable  rights  of  the 
People  recognized  in  the  first  Article  of  their  declaration  of 
Rights,  is  that  of  Seeking  and  obtaining  their  own  happiness  — 
And  in  the  2d.  Section  of  the  5th.  Chapter  of  the  Constitution, 
they  find  it  to  be  the  duty  of  the  Legislature  "to  Cherish  the 
Interests  of  Literature,  to  Countenance  &  inculcate  the  Principles 
of  Humanity  and  General  benevolence,  Charity,  Sincerity,  Good 
Humour,  and  all  Social  Affections  and  Generous  Sentiments 
among  the  People."  If  Therefore  There  be  any  Dramatic  Per- 
formances already  Written,  or  if  any  can  be  Written,  The  Exhi- 
bition of  which  may  have  A  tendency  to  make  men  happy,  to 
Encourage  Literature,  and  to  inculcate  the  Social  Virtues,  it  is 
the  right  of  the  People  to  Enjoy  them,  And  the  Duty  of  the 
Legislature  to  Secure  to  them  the  Excercise  of  this  right,  and,  of 
Course,  this  Law,  which  in  its  Prohibition  makes  no  distinction 
in  the  Nature  of  the  Performance  is  Repugnant  to  both.  They 
also  Consider  this  Statute  as  an  Indirect  Attack  on  the  Liberty 
of  the  Press,  for  if  [324.]  the  Right  to  Think,  write  and  Print 
feeely  be  secured  to  the  Citizen  by  this  Article,  to  restrain  other 
Citizens  from  reading,  and  repeating,  or  Procuring  Others  to 
read  and  repeat  for  them  What  is  thus  Printed,  is  A  Political 
Solecism. 

Your  Memorialist,  however,  would  not  be  understood,  to  deter- 
mine how  far  the  Doctrine  of  Libels  ag*.  Goverment,  Individuals, 
or  General  Decency,  and  Morals,  are  exceptions  to  the  16th. 
Article  of  the  Declaration  of  Rights ;  but  thus  much  they  can 
Confidently  Say,  That  the  Existence  of  the  Law  in  Question  is 
Inexpedient  to  these  Purposes,  Because  if  any  thing  Libellous, 
indecent  or  immoral  Should  be  exhibited  on  the  Stage,  the  Com- 
mon Law  of  the  Country,  and  the  good  and  Wholesome  Statutes 
of  the  Commonwealth,  are  as  fully  Competent  to  their  Suppression 
or  Punishment,  there,  as  in  any  other  place.  —  The  Absurdity  of 
this  Statute  is  too  Conspicuous  to  Pass  unnoticed.  One  of  the 
Objects  in  making  this  Law,  as  recited  in  the  Preamble,  is  the 
Suppression  of  Immorality,  and  yet  in  the  enacting  clause  it  is 
lawful  to  exhibit  any  Dramatic  peice,  however  Politicaly,  or 
Morally  bad  in  its  tendency,  Provided  not  more  then  Twenty 
[325.]  Persons  are  Present;  but  at  any  Larger  number,  how- 
ever excellent  and  Moral  the  Sentiments  of  the  Performance  may 
be,  the  illegality  and,  according  to  the  Logic  of  this  Statute  the 
Immorality,  commences 


314  City  Document. 

We  are  at  a  Loss  to  know  by  what  rule  in  Ethics  an  action  is 
Constituted  morally  right  or  wrong  by  the  number  of  the  agents 
concerned. 

Your  memorialists  cannot  but  observe,  that  all  the  Public 
Amusements,  which  ai*e  at  present  permitted,  are  Calculated  ex- 
clusively for,  and  confined  to  the  Gratification  of  the  Rich,  while 
theatrical  Entertainments  would  Admit  an  indiscriminate  Partici- 
pation to  all  ranks  in  Society.  And  we  apprehend  it  is  for  this 
Reason,  that  in  all  free  States,  since  the  Republic  of  Athens  the 
PEOPLE  have  considered  the  amusements  of  the  Drama  pecu- 
liarly their  own ;  and  even  in  Monarchical  Governments,  where 
the  Monarch  is  not  Absolutely  Despotic  the  hand  of  Power  has 
not  been  able  to  Suppress  them. 

For  these  reasons,  the  Inhabitants  of  your  Capital  respect- 
fully request  the  Legislature  to  take  this  Exceptionable  Law  into 
their  serious  Consideration,  and,  in  repealing  it,  leave  the  Citizen 
at  Liberty,  by  a  resort  to  an  Innocent  &  rational  amusement,  to 
seek  and  Promote  his  own  happiness  and,  as  in  Duty  bound,  shall 
Ever  Pray  &c  — 

John  Lucas  ^r.  order 

[326.]  The  aforegoing  remonstrance  having  been  read,  The 
Same  was  accepted  almost  Unanimously  — 

The  Aforegoing  Committee  also  reported  the  following  set  of 
instructions  which  were  also  Accepted  with  A  Like  Majority  — 
Viz*. 

First,  Resolved  —  That  our  representatives  be  and  they  hereby 
are  instructed,  to  renew  their  Exertions  in  the  next  Session  of 
the  Legislature,  to  effect  a  Repeal  of  the  Law,  which  prohihits 
Theatrical  Exhibitions  within  the  Commonwealth,  at  least  so  far 
as  respects  the  Town  of  Boston,  or  any  other  Town  that  may 
petition  the  Legislature  for  that  purpose.  — 

Second,  Resolved,  that  we  shall  consider  counter-petitions,  or  any 
other  methods,  which  A  minority  of  the  Inhabitants  may  adopt  to 
defeat  the  Wishes  of  the  Town,  as  irregular  and  unkind.  — 
Third,  Resolved,  That,  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  our 
Representatives,  who  by  their  late  Efforts,  Endeavored  to  pro- 
cure a  repeal  of  the  Law  in  question ;  and  that  Thomas  Crafts 
Esqr.  Leonard  Jarvis  Esqr.,  Mr.  Joseph  Russell,  John  Lucas, 
Esqr.,  Perez  Morton,  Esq1.  Mr.  John  Quincy  Adams,  Paul 
Revere  Esq.,  Mr.  Edward  Tuckerman,  Samuel  Bradford  Esq1., 
Mr.  Jn°.  Brazer  [327.]  Jabez  Hatch  Esq1'.,  Mr.  William  Little, 
Samuel  Brown  Esqr.,  Abiel  Smith  Esq1'.,  Henry  Jackson  Esq1'., 
Samuel  Cooper  Esqr.,  Mr.  Harrison  G.  Otis,  William  Powell 
Esqr.,  Joseph  Blake  Junr.,  Mr.  John  Barrett  and  Mr.  William 
Deblois,  be  a  Committee  to  co-operate  with  them  in  such  measures, 
as  may  be  Thought  expedient,  to  give  effect  to  the  Petition  and 
remonstrance,  which  the  Town  will  Present  to  the  Legislature  on 
this  Subject. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1792.  315 

Fourth.  Resolved,  That  the  respect  Justly  due  to  the  sentiments 
of  our  fellow  Citizens  must  operate  as  an  indispensible  Obligation 
to  explain  our  Sense  of  the  Nature  and  Tendency  of  the  Law 
against  Dramatic  Entertainments,  as  well  as  the  Ideas  of  the 
views  and  Principles  which  govern  the  Inhabitants  on  this  occa- 
sion ;  and  we  should  be  unhappy  to  conceive  that  an  opinion 
could  prevail  of  our  Abhorrence  of  Vice,  or  of  our  Love  of 
Virtue,  being  diminished,  when  we  venture  to  assert,  that  the  Law 
under  Consideration  is  neither  consonant  to  the  Spirit  of  Liberty, 
nor  agreeable  to  the  Liberal  Principles,  upon  which  our  happy 
Constitution  of  Government  is  established  ;  A  Constitution  which 
Scarcely  admits  of  general  restraints  upon  the  Natural  rights  of 
the  Citizen  [328.]  to  prevent  partial  abuses  or  imaginary  evils 
in  the  exercise  of  them  ;  and  it  is  no  less  for  this  reason  than 
from  the  high  opinion  we  have  uniformly  cherished  of  the  man- 
ners and  virtue  of  our  Fellow-Citizens,  That  we  have  the  fullest 
persuasion,  that  the  Penal  Statutes  of  the  Government,  and  that 
Just  detestation  of  Vice  and  immorality  of  every  kind,  which 
both  reason  and  Religion  inculcate,  will  be  found  amply  Suffi- 
cient for  the  invaluable  Objects  they  are  intended  to  secure,  with- 
out the  equivocal  aid  of  Prohibitory  Regulations,  founded  in  an 
impolitic  jealousy  of  the  Views  and  dispositions  of  the  People, 
and  unwarranted  either  by  the  Voice  of  Reason,  or  the  Dictates 
of  experience  — 

Fifth.  Resolved,  That  the  aforesaid  Committee  be  authorized 
and  desired  to  ..wait  upon  his  Excellency,  the  Governor,  with  a 
Copy  of  these  Resolutions,  and  present  to  him,  in  the  name  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  the  Town  the  following  Address ; 

May  it  Please  your  Excellency  — 
Your  fellow  Citizens,  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston, 
have  determined  to  Solicit  [329.]  the  Legislature,  at  their  Next 
Session,  for  a  repeal  of  the  Law,  which  Prohibits  Theatrical  En- 
tertainments within  the  Commonwealth ;  and  they  have  Thought 
proper  to  request  your  Excellencys  aid  on  this  occasion  as  they 
cannot  conceive,  from  your  Enlightened  opposition  to  every 
encroachment  on  the  Sacred  Limits  of  the  Constitution,  that  you 
would  decline  to  Afford  every  proper  support  to  an  application, 
which  at  once  contemplates,  the  establishment  of  an  elegant  and 
rational  amusement,  —  and  the  repeal  of  a  compulsory  Statute, 
formed  in  violation,  not  only  of  those  liberal  maxims  which  Your 
Excellency's  Administration  has  hitherto  vindicated  and  con- 
firmed, but  of  that  Confidence  In  the  virtue  and  discretion  of  the 
People  which  You  have  uniformly  expressed  and  inculcated  — 

Adjourned   to  the  14th.  day  of  January  Next  at  12  O 'Clock 
A:M:  — 

Town  Met  According  to  Adjournment 

Adjourned  to  Tuesday  22d.  Jan^.  Instant  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  — 


316  City  Document. 

[330,]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  Other  inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  Qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives 
to  the  General  Court  of  this  Commonwealth  and  legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Monday 
the  14th.  January  Anno  Domini  1793.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Precept  for  the  supreme  Executive  for  the  Choice  of  One 
Representative  for  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  for  the  Dis- 
trict of  this  Commonwealth  —  read  — 

It  was  then  Declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  The  Poll  would  be 
closed  at  half  past  1.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  That  the  Votes  be  received 
at  the  Table,  and  the  Bells  to  begin  to  Ring  at  1.  O'Clock  &  Con- 
tinued tolling  untill  half  past  One  O'Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Representatives  to  Represent  the  said 
District,  Viz*.  Suffolk.  Essex  &  Middlesex  in  Congress  of  the 
United  States  —  all  of  whom  are  Inhabitants  of  One  or  Another 
of  Said  Counties  Viz*. 


[331.] 


Attest  Copy  of  The  Persons  Voted  for,  for  One  Representative 
to  represent  the  first  District  Viz*.  Suffolk,  Essex,  and  Middlesex 
in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  were  Committed  to  the 
Secretary  of  this  Common  Wealth  and  the  return  Sealed  up  in 
Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows.  Viz*.  — 
For  John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the 
Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

List  of  Votes  for  one  Representative  to  represent  the  first 
District,  Viz*.  Suffolk,  Essex,  and  Middlesex,  from  the  Town  of 
Boston  in  said  District 

Then  The  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


Votes 

i^  Benjamin     Austin     Junr. 

Esqr. 

—  635 

James  Bowdoin     -     - 

Esqr. 

—  363 

Samuel  Sewall 

Esqr. 

—  178 

Honble.  Samuel  Holten 

Esqr. 

—      3 

Honble.  William  Heath' 

Esqr. 

—      2 

Honble.  Stephen  Higginsor 

l  Esqr. 

—      1 

Total  1182. 

[332.]     Town  Met  according  to  Adjournment  January  22d. 
1793.     3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : — 

The  Committee  appointed  on  the  218t.  of  Decr.  last,  to  consider 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  317 

and  report  what  Proposals  should  be  offered  on  the  Part  of  the 
Town  to  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature  on  the  Subject  of 
erecting  a  State  House  for  the  Commonwealth,  within  the  Town 
of  Boston,  —  Report :  That  it  is  expedient  that  A  Committee 
should  be  immediately  raised  with  plenary  Powers  to  contract  on 
the  Part  of  the  Inhabitants  for  the  Grant  and  Conveyance  of  any 
Peice  of  Ground,  the  Property  of  the  Town,  Suitable  for  such 
Buildings  as  the  State  may  think  necessary  to  the  sole  use  and 
benefit  of  the  Commonwealth  —  And  that  the  Committee  be 
further  authorized  ;  to  make  this  other  proposal 

That  if  the  Commonwealth  will  grant  to  the  Town  all  their 
Estate  in  the  present  State  House  and  the  Old  Province  House, 
and  the  Land  appurtenant  thereto,  that  in  such  Case  the  Town 
shall  and  will  Erect  a  New  State  House  for  the  Commonwealth  on 
any  Spot  of  Ground  within  the  Limits  of  the  Town,  being  the 
Towns  property,  which  the  Legislature  shall  elect,  and  on  any 
Model  they  shall  direct,  provided  the  whole  -expence  shall  not 
exceed  Nine  Thousand  Pounds,  [333.]  and  on  Condition  that 
the  Commonwealth  shall  Grant.  Two  Thousand  Pounds  to  the 
Town  in  addition  to  the  real  Property,  to  be  conveyed  as  before 
stipulated.     All  which  is  Submitted  by  order  of. 

William  Tudor  — 
January  14th.  1793  — 

The  Report  having  been  read  and  Considered  The  Question 
was  put,  Whether  the  Town  will  Accept  the  Same.  Passed  in 
the  Affirmative  unanimously 

'Also  Voted,  That  William  Tudor  Esqr. 
William  Eustis  Esq1'. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esq1. 
Perez  Morton  Esqr. 
Mr.  Daniel  Austin 
John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
Mr.  Treasurer  Russell 
Be  A  Committee  to  Effect  the  Purposes  of  this  Report 

All  matters  Unfinished  referred  to  the  Next  General  Town 
Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  Of  The  Town  be  and  hereby  are 
given,  To  Thomas  Crafts  Esq1',  for  his  good  Services  as  Modera- 
tor of  the  meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[334.]     At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  Duly  qualified  and  Legally  warned  in 


318  City  Document. 

Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday 
the  13th.  day  of  February  Anno  Dom1.  1793.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  was  Chosen  The  Moderator  by  A 
hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*. 
To  take  into  Consideration  the  Petition  of  the  Directors  of  West 
Boston  Bridge  relative  to  the  Hospital  at  That  part  of  The  Town 
—  read,  and  on  Motion 

Voted,  That  This  Matter  be  left  to  the  Selectmen  for  them  to 
Act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge  Proper.  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*. 
To  take  into  Consideration  the  Petition  of  A  Number  of  the 
Inhabitants  That  measures  may  be  taken  for  to  Prevent  the 
Erecting  and  building  on  a  Passage  way,  between  the  Rope  walks 
at  the  Southeasterly  Part  of  the  Town  which  has  for  many  Years 
laid  Open  —  read  and  largely  debated,  and  on  motion  [335.] 
Voted,  That  A  Committee  be  appointed  to  Confer  with  the  Com- 
mittee of  The  General  Court,  on  the  Petition  of  Jeffery  Richard- 
son, and  to  Use  their  Exertions  in  Case  the  Said  Land  mentioned 
in  said  Petition  is  to  be  sold,  That  so  much  thereof  may  be  re- 
served for  the  Town  as  is  Necessary  for  its  Security  and  accomo- 
dation, also 

Voted,  That  Honble.  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 
Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 
Harrison  G.  Otis  Esq1. 
Loring  Austin  Esqr. 
Mr.  Archibd.  Mc.Neal  — 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  Aforesaid — 

Voted  That  all  matters  unfinished  at  this  meeting,  be  referred 
Over  to  the  Next  General  Town  Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  Be,  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as 
Moderator  of  This  Meeting  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[336.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  The  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Monday, 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  319 

The  Eleventh  day  of  March  Anno  Domini   1793  — 10.  O' Clock 
A:M:  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Doctor  Walter  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  meeting  —  read  — 

The  Town  having  Voted  to  come  to  the  Choice  of  A  Moderator 
by  A  hand  Vote.  — 

Hon5^  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1". 
was  Chosen  Moderator,  of  This  Meeting  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  a  Town  Clerk  and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
counted  it  Appeared  That  — 

William  Cooper 
Was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  year  Ensuing  and  the  Oath  of 
Office  was  Administered  to  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Crafts  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  Withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Nine  Selectmen  [337.]  And  upon  Sorting  them  it 
appeared  that  the  Following  Gentlemen  —  Viz*.  — 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Deacon  William  Boarclman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Seaver 

Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 

Thomas  Edwards  —  Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Little 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 

William  Scollay 
Were  Chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Inhabitants  having  as  Directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for 
12  Overseers  of  the  Poor  —  on  Counting  and  sorting  the  Same  it 
appeared  that 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr. 

John  White  —  Esqr. 

Edward  Proctor  —  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  —  Esqr. 

Samuel  Parkman  —  Esqr. 

Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr 

Mr.  Edward  Edes  — 

Henry  Hill  —  Esqr. 

John  Codman  Junr.  Esq1'. 

Mr.  William  Smith 

William  Phillips  Junr.  Esqr. 

Stephen  Goreham  Esqr. 
Were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  poor  for  The  year  Ensuing  — 


320  City  Document. 

[338.]  The  Votes  being  brought  in  Counted  and  Sorted  for 
16  Firewards.  it  appeared  — 

That  Mr.  Thomas  Tileston 

John  Winthrop  Esqr. 

Thomas  Melvill  Esqr. 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr, 

Mr.  Joseph  Clarke 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Samuel  Parkman  Esqr. 

Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 

Henry  Jackson  Esq1-. 

Cap*.  Mungo  Mackay 

William  Scollay  Esqr. 

William  Little  Esqr. 

Mr.  James  Tisdale 

Joseph  May  Esqr. 
Were  chosen  Fire  wards  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*. 
To  Choose  A  School  Committee  —  read.  Whereupon  — 

Voted.  That  in  Addition  to  the  selectmen  Twelve  Persons  shall 
Now  be  Chosen  and  the  following  Gentlemen  were  accordingly 
Chosen  f r.  ballot  — Viz*. 

Hon^iS  Thomas  Dawes  —  Esqr. 

Revd.  Samuel  West 

Revd.  John  Lothrop  D.D. 

John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 

Jonathan  L.  Austin  Esqr. 
[339.]  William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Doctor  Thomas  Welsh 

Doctor  Nathaniel  Appleton 

Revd.  John  Clarke 

Mr.  William  Smith 

Doctor  Aaron  Dexter 

G-eorge  Richards  Minot  Esqr.  Also 
Voted,  That  the  Aforegoing  Committee  Who  Conjunctly  with 
the  Selectmen  are  to  be  termed  The  School  Committee  be  and 
hereby  are  directed  to  carry  the  New  System  of  Education  which 
has  been  Adopted  by  the  Town  into  operation,  And  said  Com- 
mittee are  Also  Authorized  and  impowered  Conjunctly  to  Man- 
age and  regulate  the  Officers  and  Government  of  the  Schools  and 
in  future  to  Exercise  all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  School  and  its 
Schoolmasters  which  the  Selectmen  And  Such  Committee  are 
Authorized  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth  or  the  Votes  of 
This  Town  to  Exercise  Any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  Notwith- 
standing — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  321 

Votes,  for  A  Treasurer  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  brought  in 
and  Counted  by  the  Moderator  &  The  Town  Clerk ;  when  it  ap- 
peared that  the  whole  Number  was  Three  hundred  and  Three 
And  that  they  were  all  for  Thomas  Craft  Esqr.  A  discreet  and 
Suitable  person  being  a  Freeholder  &  Resident  in  the  Same 
County- — The  Attested  Copy  thereof  was  given  to  Ezek1.  Price 
Esq1'.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  by  Coll — .  Crafts  — 

[340.]     Voted,  That  the  Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Herman  Brimmer  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
Be,  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Audit  the  Ac- 
compts  of  the  Town  Treasurer,  and  Also  the  accounts  of  the 
Selectmen,  And  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  And  said  Committee  are 
directed  to  report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Service 
of  the  Present  Year  — 

Voted,  That  the  Assessors  be,  and  hereby  are  directed  to  set 
for  such  Abatements  of  Taxes,  as  they  shall  Judge  reasonable, 
Two  days  in  Each  Week  after  the  delivery  of  the  Tax  Books  to 
the  Collectors,  for  the  Space  of  Six  Weeks  and  no  longer  (Saving 
That  they  be  allowed  to  Set  The  Last  Week  in  February,)  Lords 
days  excepted  for  the  abatement  of  the  Taxes  of  Such  Persons  as 
had  not  the  opportunity  of  Applying  in  the  above  Limited  time 
by  reason  of  Their  being  out  of  the  Commonwealth  or  any  Other 
Unavoidable  hindrance,  And  That  the  Assessors  themselves, 
Determine  upon  the  said  Two  days,  which  is  to  be  noted  on  the 
Tax  bills  to  be  delivered  to  The  Inhabitants.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Consideration  of  all  Money  matters  be  referred 
over  Until  the  Next  May  Meeting  — 

[341.]  Jirah  Holbrooks  Petition  read,  and  After  Debate  — 
It  was  moved  and  Voted  that  the  Said  Petitioner  have  Leave  to 
withdraw  his  Petition 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell  was  Chosen  Town  Treasurer  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  Unanimously,  And  the  Oath  of  Office  Administred  to 
him  by  the  Town  Clerk  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  give  Bond  with  Sureties,  To 
the  Satisfaction  of  the  selectmen  In  the  Penalty  of  Ten  Thou- 
sand Pounds  for  the  faithful  Discharge  of  the  Duties  of  his 
Office  — 

Mess^?  Benjamin  White 

John  Ballard 

Moses  May 

Andrew  Townsend 

William  Todd 
Were  Chosen  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 


322  City  Document. 

Mess^  Thomas  Bradley 
Nathan  Green 
David  Hollis 
Mathew  Loring 
Were  Chosen  Sealers  of  Leather  for  [the]  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Gentlemen  Selectmen  — 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Highways  the  Year  Ensuing 

[342.]  Messl8  William  McNeil 

Jeffrey  Richardson 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Hemp  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 
Was  Chosen  an  Informer  of  Deer  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

Messrs.  Edward  Jones 
Francis  Booth 
Samuel  Curtis 
Were  Chosen  Haywards  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Messrs.  Joseph  Egner 
Henry  Davis 
Were  Chosen  Hogreeves  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

John  Lucas  —  Esqr. 
Edward  Tuckerman  Esqr. 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Wheat  The  Year  Ensuing  — 

Messrs.  John  Skinner 
Samuel  Green 
Were  Chosen  Assay  Masters  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mess-  John  Ballard 

Benjamin  Homans 
Jirah  Holbrook 
William  Cunningham 
Were  Chosen  Sealers  of  Wood  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Vote,  relative  to  referring  the  Choice  of  Collectors.  Vote  May 
meeting.     Passed,  and  afterwards  reconsidered, : — 

[343.]  The  Hon^  Caleb  Davis  Esqr. 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 
Were  Chosen  into  the  Office  of  Fire  Wards  for  the  Year  Ensuing 
and  having  declined  Serving  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  The  Town  be  and  hereby  are  Given 
to  the  Aforenamed  Gentlemen  for  Their  good  Services  as  Fire- 
wards  A  Number  of  Years  past 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  323 

Votes,  being  brought  in  for  Twelve  Constables,  It  appeared 
That  the  following  Persons  were  Chosen  —  Viz*  — 

Mess1-  Shubael  Hews 

Benjamin  Homans 
John  Bosson 
John  Cades 
John  Butterfield 
Andrew  Townsend 
Samuel  White 
James  Perkins 
David  Lewis 
Thomas  Stevenson 
Enoch  May 
Robert  Smallpeace 

Then  the  Town  Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  : 

[344.]  At  3  O'Clock  P:M:  Town  Met  According  to  the 
Adjournment  — 

The  dangerous  Attack  on  Saturday  night  Last,  On  the  Safety 
of  the  Town,  together  with  the  Measures  taken  by  the  Gentlemen 
Selectmen  on  the  Occasion,  having  been  represented  in  the  Meet- 
ing it  was  Moved  and  Voted,  That  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr 

Cap*.  James  Prince 
Cap*.  Russell  Sturgis 
John  Andrews  Esqr. 
Amasa  Davis  Esq1'. 
Be  A  Committee  To  take  up  this  matter  and  report  As  Soon  as 
may  be,  A  Proper  Vote  or  Votes  to  be  passed  by  the  Town  on 
this  Occasion  — 

Votes,  being  brought  in  for  Five  Assessors  It  Appeared,  That 
the  following  Persons  were  Chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  Ensu- 
ing —  Viz*. 

Messrs.  William  Lowder 

Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 
Caleb  Blanchard 
Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
John  R.  Sigorney 


Messrs.  John  Champney 
Joshua  Bentley 
Samuel  Dyer 
Benjamin  Page 
[345.]  James  Rogers 

Abraham  Hay  ward 
Benjamin  White 


324  City  Document. 

Daniel  Ingersoll 
James  Bobbins 
Edmund  Ranger 
James  Blake 
John  Cogswell 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

Mess??  James  Perkins 
William  Payne 
Thomas  Crafts  Junr. 
James  Cutler 
Edward  Blake 
Edward  disking 
John  Webb  Checkley 
William  Jarvis 
Thomas  Amory  Junr. 
John  Gardner 
John  Lothrop  Junr. 
John  Fox 
Were  Chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

The  Committee  relative  to  the  Enormity  of  Saturday  Night 
Last  —  Reported,  Whereupon  the  following  Votes  were  Passed, 
unanimously  as  Reported  by  the  Committee  —  Viz'.  — 

Whereas.  On  Saturday  Evening  Last,  Several  of  the  Towns 
Fire  Engines  received  Considerable  [346.]  Damage  by  Some 
Lawless  Villain  or  Villians  Unknown  ;  And  other  Daring  and 
Dangerous  Enormities  were  Committed  against  The  Peace  and 
Safety  of  the  Inhabitants, — And  Whereas  the  selectmen  have 
given  Publick  information,  That  they  would  pay  The  Sum  of  Two 
Hundred  Dollars,  to  Any  Person  or  Persons  who  Should  Discover 
and  lead  to  Conviction,  The  Author  or  Authors  of  such  daring 
Outrages.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  highly  Approve,  and  Adopt  The  Con- 
duct of  their  Selectmen  in  this  Respect;  and,  That  the  Town- 
Treasurer  be,  and  he  is  hereby  Order'd  to  pay  Said  Sum  of  Two 
hundred  Dollars,  whenever  the  Selectmen  shall  Issue  their  War- 
rant Therefor,  —  And  further,  in  order  to  discover  the  Author 
or  Authors  of  such  Villainy,  it  is  —  Voted,  That  the  Constables 
Imediately  Divide  themselves  into  Classes,  and  Visit  the  Several 
Publick  Houses  within  the  Town  to  know  what  Company  Was 
there  on  Saturday  Evening  Last,  and  the  Time,  and  Their 
behaviour,  when  they  left  the  same,  and  in  case  they  have  any 
reasonable  Suspicion  of  any  Person  or  Persons,  that  they  give 
Notice  to  the  Selectmen,  in  Order  that  an  Enquiry  and  Prosecu- 
tion may  be  Commenced  against  them  :  And  as  an  Inducement 
to  the  Several  Constables  to  be  diligent  in  their  Duty,  it  is 
[347.]    Voted,  That  the  Constable  or  Constables,  who  shall 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  325 

Discover,  So  as  to  lead  to  a  Conviction  of  the  Offender  or 
Offenders,  He,  or  they,  shall  be  entitled  to  Fifty  Dollars,  to  be 
paid  by  a  draft  from  the  Selectmen,  on  the  Town  Treasurer ; 
And  to  Prevent  a  Repetition  of  Such  Lawless  Conduct  in  future, 
it  is  Voted,  That  the  Representatives  of  the  Town  be  imme- 
diately requested  to  use  their  Influence  in  the  General  Court, 
that  a  Law  may  be  made,  inflicting  a  severe  punishment  on  any 
Person  or  Persons,  who  shall  wickedly  or  wantonly  destroy,  or 
Damage  any  of  The  Town  —  Engines,  P%tmps,  or  Publick 
Ladders. 

Voted,  That  the  foregoing  Votes  be  published.  — 

Mees^  Henry  Purkitt 
Joseph  Loring 
William  Parkman 
Edward  Burt 
George  Singleton 
Joseph  Basset 
Thomas  Barber 
Thomas  Foster 
Jonathan  Cushing 
Lemuel  Gardner 
John  Bray 
Hezekiah  Hudson 
James  Barry 

[348.]  Adjourned  to  Monday  8th.  day  April  10.  O'Clock 
A:M: 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  male  inhabitants  of  The  Town  of  Boston 
of  21  Years  of  age  and  upwards  Qualified  as  the  Constitution 
Prescribes,  and  Legally  Warned  in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assem- 
bled at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  The  first  day  of  April  Anno 
Dom1.  1793  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  West  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting     -     -     Read  — 

Paragraphs  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment  relative 
to  the  Choice  of  Governor,  Lieu*.  Governor  and  Senators  — 
read  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  — 
That  no  Votes  would  be  received  but  Such  as  are  Unfolded ;  and 
That  they  Propose  the  Poll   shall   be   Closed   at   half   past   12 
O'Clock.  The  Votes  to  be  received  at  the  Table  and  the  Bells 
begio  their  Tolling  at  12  O'Clock.  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  wth.  the  N°.  of  Votes  for  Each 
Person 


326  City  Document. 

Votes 

His  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr. 1124 

Honble.  Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr.     -     -     -     -         34 
Honble.  Francis  Dana  Esqr.  -----         15 

Harrison  Gray  Otis  Esq1. 1 

Mr.  Benjamin  Adams 2 

[349.]     Persons   Voted    for   as    Lieu*.  Governor   with   The 
Number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 117 

Hon^  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 

Hon—  James  Sullivan  Esqr. - 

Hon?i2  Benjamin  Lincoln  Esqr. 

James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Lillie     -     - 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  with 
the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person 


[350.] 


Votes 

Hon^  Thomas  Dawes 

Esqr.    -     - 

-     1150 

Hon^l?  Stephen  Metcalf 

Esqr.    -     - 

-     1192 

Honi^  Benjamin  Austin 

Junr.    -     - 

679 

Hon™2  William  Heath 

Esqr.    -     - 

-       336 

Hon?i5  Oliver  Wendell 

Esqr.    -     - 

-     1183 

James  Bowdoin 

Esqr.    -     - 

-       577 

Hon^  Thomas  Russell 

Esqr.    -     - 

61 

Hon^  Cotton  Tuffts     -     -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

-       508 

John  Read     -     -     -     - 

Esq1.    -     - 

846 

Ebenezer    Thayer    Jur. 

Esqr.    -     - 

512 

Ebenezer  Warren    -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

16 

Ebenezer  Thayer    -     - 

58 

Charles  Jar  vis    -     -     - 

Esq1.    -     - 

2 

Hon^  Stephen  Higginson 

Esq1.    -     - 

6 

Hon^  William  Phillips 

Esq1'.    -     - 

5 

Hon^  John  Coffin  Jones 

Esqr.    -'    - 

1 

William  Eustis  -     -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

1 

Hon^  Caleb  Davis  -     -     -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

2 

Jonathan  Mason     -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

2 

Hon—  Azor  Orne    -     - 

Esqr.    -     - 

1 

Attested  Copies  of  The  Persons  Voted  for  As  Governor,  Lieu*. 
Governor   and   Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were  Com- 
mitted to  the  Secretary  of  This  Commonwealth  and  the  Inclosures 
Sealed  up  in  The  Town  Meeting,  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  The  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  327 

The  Number  of  Votes  of  The  Town  of  Boston  for  A  Governor, 
Lieu*.  Governor  and  Six  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk. 
Certified  within  and  Sealed  up  in  the  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[351.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  Qualified  to  Vote  for  Representatives 
to  the  General  Court  of  this  Commonwealth  Legally  Warned  in 
Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall.  On  Monday  the 
first  day  of  April  Anno  Domini  1793.  3  O'Clock  P :  M  : 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  meeting      -     -     read  — 

Precept  from  the  Supreme  Executive  for  the  choice  of  One 
Representative  for  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  for  the  first 
district  of  this  Commonwealth  read,  and  it  was  then  declared  by 
the  Selectmen  that  the  Poll  would  be  closed  at  6  O'Clock,  That 
the  Votes  be  received  at  the  Table  Unfolded  and  the  Bells  to 
begin  tolling  half  past  5.  O'Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  one  Representative  to  Represent  The 
first  District  Viz*.  Suffolk.  Essex  and  Middlesex  in  the  Congress 
of  the  United  States,  all  of  whom  are  Inhabitants  of  one  or  other 
of  said  Counties  —  Viz*. 

Honble.  Samuel  Holton -     -  566 

Honble.  Benf.  Austin  Junr. 770 

James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 1 

An  Attested  Copy  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  A  Representa- 
tive to  represent  the  first  District  Viz*.  Suffolk  Essex  and  Mid- 
dlesex in  the  [352.]  Congress  of  the  United  States,  were 
Committed  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth  and  the  Return 
Sealed  up  in  the  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

For  John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts 

List  of  Votes  for  one  Representative  to  Represent  the  First 
District  —  Viz*.  Suffolk,  Essex  and  Middlesex  from  the  Town  of 
Boston  in  the  Said  District  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[353.]     Monday,  April  8th.  1793.     10-O'Clock  in  the  Fore- 
noon ;  Met  According  to  Adjournment  of  March  meeting  — 


328  City  Document. 

Mr.  George  Cammell  was  Chosen  A  Hogreave  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

Mr.  Edward  Wild  was  Chosen  A  Sealer  of  Wood  for  the  Year 
Ensuing  — 

Mr.  Job  Wheelwright  was  Chosen  A  Culler  of  Hoops  &c.  for 
the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mr.  Samuel  Hewes  was  Chosen  A  Clerk  of  the  Market  for  the 
Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Selectmen  Laid  before  the  Town  A  Letter  from  Mr. 
[blank]  of  Rotterdam  together  with  A  Pamphlet  Containing 
Prescriptions  for  Mitigating  the  Malignity  of  the  Small  Pox,  — 
whereupon  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  A  Committee  to  make 
reply  to  said  Letter  and  To  Convey  the  Compliments  of  the 
Town,  for  his  benevolence  in  Communicating  said  Prescriptions.  — 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  w55  remained  unfinished 
be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Town   meeting  in  May 

Next  — 

Voted  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
to  the  Hon1.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  Mod- 
erator 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[354.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednes- 
dav  the  2421  day  of  April.  Anno  Domini  1793  — at  10.  O'Clock 
AIM:  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read 

Honl^  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Inhabitants  required  to  bring  in  their  Votes  for  five 
Assessors ;  the  Poll  to  be  Closed  at  1.  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

On  Motion  Voted,  that 

The  Honble.  Benjamin  Austin  Junr.  Esqr. 
Hon^l  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
William  Tudor  Esqr. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
Thomas  Walley  Esq1'. 
Henry  Hill  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  Kneeland 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  329 

Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  and  report  at  the  Adjournment  the 
best  mode  for  the  Collecting  of  the  Town  Taxes  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  — To  Consider  what  measures 
shall  be  taken  for  the  more  Effectual  Security  of  The  Town  by 
Night — read  [355.]  Whereupon  —  Voted,  That  the  article  be 
referred  to  The  Selectmen,  they  to  Act  thereon  as  they  shall  Judge 
best :  for  the  regulation  of  the  Watch  and  Security  of  the  Town, 
by  the  Addition  of  men,  or  any  New  Arrangement  of  the  Watch.  -  - 

Votes  being  brought  in  for  Five 
Assessors  It  appeared  That 
Gyles  Harris  Esqr. 
Mr.  William  Lowder 
Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
•  John  R.  Sigorney  Esq1'. 

Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard 
Were  Chosen  Assessors  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  Next  being  the  29*  Instant  at  10  O'Clock. 
A  :  M  :  — 

Monday  April  29*  1793.  10-O'Clock  A  :  M.  Town  Met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  to  Consider  the  mode  of  Collecting  the  Town 
Taxes,  Report  as  their  Opinion,  That  The  Mode  for  Collecting 
the  Town  Taxes  be  continued  as  usual  untill  Some  Measures  are 
Adopted  for  the  Regulating  the  Town  in  its  County  Capacity 

Benja  Austin  Jr  ^r  order  — 

This  Report  being  read  The  Question  was  Put  —  Viz*  — 
whether  the  Same  shall  be  accepted.     Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

[356.]  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  Four  Collectors  of  Taxes. 
It  appeared  that  — 

Messrs.  Benjamin  Henderson 
Thomas  Bayley 
James  Thompson 
Benjamin  Jepson 
Were  Chosen  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to 
The  HonSlf  Thomas  Dawes  for  his  good  Services  as  Moderator 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  Qualified  and  Legally  Warned  in  Public 


330  City  Document. 

Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  On  Wednesday  the 
8th.  day  of  May.  Anno  Domini  1793.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Doctr.  Belknap 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

[357.]  That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Gover- 
nment which  relates  to  the  Choice  of  Representatives,  read 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  Said  Meeting  were  accordingly  — 
read  — 

The  Town  having  determined  by  Vote  for  to  Choose  Several 
Persons  to  represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusets 
to  be  held  in  the  State  house  in  Boston,  On  the  Last  Wednesday 
in  May  current,  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Gover- 
nment for  the  Massachusets  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  by  the  selectmen  to  withdraw 
and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Seven  representatives,  and  then  it 
was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  That  no  Votes  would  be  received 
but  such  as  are  unfolded  and  that  they  intend  the  Poll  shall  be 
closed  at  half  past  12-O'Clock  —  the  Bell  to  toll  A  Little  before 
that  time  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  representatives  the 
Number  of  the  Same  were  found  to  be  337  —  and  upon  sorting 
them  it  Appeared,  That  the  Seven  following  Gentlemen  [358.] 
Obtained  A  Majority  of  Votes  —  Viz*. 

Votes 

William  Tudor Esqr.     324 

Charles  Jarvis     ------     Esqr.     325 

Jonathan  Mason Esq1'.     303 

John  Coffin  Jones Esqr.     336 

William  Eustis Esqr.     335 

Joseph  Blake Esq1'.     300 

Thomas  Edwards Esq1".     292 

Declaration  was  Then  made  by  the  Selectmen  of  the  Town,  That 
the  Seven  aforenamed  Gentlemen  Were  Chosen  representatives  by 
A  Majority  of  Votes  — 

The  Meeting  was  then  Adjourned  to  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

At  3.  O'Clock  P :  M  :  The  Town  Met  According  To  Adjourn- 
ment — 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  it  was  moved  and 
Voted,  That  the  Town  will  now  come  to  the  choice  of  A  Modera- 


Boston  Town  Recobds,  1793.  331 

tor  by  A  hand  Vote  to  Transact  the  other  business  mentioned  m 
the  Warrant  — 

The  Hon^li  Thomas  Dawes  Esqf 
"Was  Chosen  Moderator  accordingly  — 

The  Committee  to  Audit  the  Town  Treasurers  Acco-  had  leave 
to  report  at  the  Adjournment  of  this  meeting  — 

[359.]  Cap*.  Roger  Bartlet 

Cap*.  Joseph  Doble 
Were  Chosen  Cullers  of  Dry  fish  for  the  Ensuing  Year  — 

The  Petition  relative  to  the  Pulling  down  of  The  Towns  Shop 
Opposite  to  Concert  Hall  was  read  and  Considered,  when  the 
Petitioners  had  Leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*,  whether  any  Measures  shall 
be  taken  for  the  Preservation  of  the  Dam  on  the  East  side  of  the 
Neck  —  read  — 

Whereupon — -Voted,  That  the 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Seaver 

Deacon  Boardman 

Coll0.  William  Scollay 

Mr.  William  Little 

Thomas  Walley  Esq1'. 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  this  Article  and  report  Their  opinion 
thereon  at  the  Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  Continuing  Lighting  the 
Lamps  —  read,  and  after  some  debate 

Voted,  That  the  lighting  the  Lamps  be  discontinued  until  the 
Last  day  of  September  Next  — 

[360.]  The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  any, 
and  what  measures  shall  be  taken  for  the  Speedy  Co)lectibn  of 
the  Arrears  due  on  the  Taxes  for  the  Years  1791  &  1792  —  read 
Whereupon  —  Voted,  That  the 

Hon5l2  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Mr.  Herman  Brimmer 

Joseph  Russell  Jur.  Esq1. 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  this  matter  and  to  report  at  the 
Adjournment  — 

Adjourned  to  Friday  the  24th  day  of  May  Instant  at  10. 
O'Clock  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Friday  the  24th.  day  of  May  Instant  the  Town  Met  according 
to  Adjournment  — 


332  City  Document. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  Consideration  the  Article 
in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether  any  measures  shall  be  taken  for 
the  Prevention  of  the  Dam  on  the  East  side  of  the  Neck,  having 
Attended  that  Service  and  ask  leave  to  report  as  follows  -  -  Viz*. 

That  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  be  requested  to  take  such 
measures  for  the  Speedy  repairing  the  Dam  on  the  East  side  of 
the  Neck,  as  to  them  shall  [361.]  Appear  most  for  the  Interest 
of  the  Town.  The  Sum  not  to  Exceed  Three  Hundred  Pounds ; 
and  also  that  they  see  the  Contract  on  the  part  of  the  Lessees  on 
Each  side  of  the  Neck  fully  Adhered  to 

Thos.  Dawes  ^r.  order. 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read  and  Considered  The 
Question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted; 
Pass'd  in  the  Affirmative 

The  Committee  on  that  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  Whether 
any  or  what  measures  shall  be  taken  for  the  Speedy  Collection  of 
Arrears  due  on  the  Taxes  for  1791  &  1792. 

Reported ;  and  after  debate  the  Question  being  put,  Whether 
said  report  shall  be  accepted,  and  it  passed  in  the  Negative  — 

Then  the  Town  Adjourned  to  4.  O'Clock  P :  M  : 
At  4  O'Clock  P  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

On  Motion  —  Voted.  That  the 

HonM?  James  Sullivan  Esqr. 

Chai'les  Jarvis  - —  Esqr. 
Hon™£  Benja.  Austin  Jur.  Esq1. 
Judge  Tudor 
Joseph  Blake  Jur.  Esqr. 
Mr.  Treasurer  Russell 
Doctor  Welch  — 
be  A  Com*£?-  To  take  up  at  large  the  Article  in  the  Warrant  rela- 
tive to  Arrears,  clue   on  Taxes    &   Report  thereon  Next  Town 
Meeting  ■ — 

[362.]  The  Committee  to  Audit  Town  Treasurers  Accounts 
&  Reported  —  whereupon  it  was  moved  and 

Voted,  The  Consideration  of  this  report  and  any  other  matters 
unfinished  at  this  meeting  —  be  referred  over  to  the  Next  Town 
Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  The  Town  be  given  to  the  Honora- 
ble Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  Moderator  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  333 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  on  Friday  the  24th  day  of  May  Anno  Domini 
1793  —  11.  O'Clock  A:  M:  duly  qualified  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

The  article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  Consider  the  application 
of  the  Proprietors  of  West  Boston  bridge,  That  the  high  way 
leading  from  said  bridge  into  Town  may  be  put  into  such  repair 
as  to  make  it  convenient  for  Passing  &  repassing  was  —  read, 
and  also  said  Application  — 

[363.]  Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen'the  Selectmen  be  A  Com- 
mittee to  Consider  on  this  matter  and  report  thereon  at  the 
Adjournment  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  —  Whether  it  will  not  be 
Expedient  for  the  Town  for  to  Instruct  its  Representatives  to 
have  the  Excise  Laws  on  Wheel  Carriages  and  Licenses  for 
Taverns,  retail  Houses  &c  to  be  repealed  or  Modified,  That  the 
Profits  arising  therefrom  Be  in  future  appropriated  to  the  re- 
pairing the  Streets  and  high  ways  of  the  Towns  in  which  they 
are  Collected  —  Also,  and  Whether  the  Law  for  the  Valuation  of 
Estates  passed  in  the  Last  Session  of  the  Legislature  &c.  ought 
not  to  be  so  Varied  That  the  Sum  Doom'd  against  any  Town  on 
account  of  any  Inhabitants  who  have  Since  removed,  Should  not 
be  set  off  to  those  Towns  in  which  they  Now  reside  As  no  Tax 
has  been  yet  laid  by  Virtue  of  This  Valuation  —  were  read  — 
Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  the 

Hon^  James  Sullivan  —  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  —  Esqr. 

Hon^I?  Benjamin  Austin  Junr.  Esqr. 
Judge  Tudor  —  Esqr. 

Joseph  Blake  Junr.         Esqr. 
Mr.  Treasurer  Russell  & 
Doctor  Welch 
[364.]     Be  A  Committee  to  take  these  Articles  into  Con- 
sideration,   and  to  report  thereon  at  the  Adjournment  of  this 
meeting  — 

Adjourned  to  Friday  Next  being  the  31^  day  of  May  Instant, 
at  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Friday  May  31st.   1793  —  10  O'Clock  A:M:     Town  Met  ac- 
cording to  Adjournment  — 

Coll-  Dawes  the  Moderator  of  the  meeting  not  being  able  to 
Leave  the  Senate  — 


834 


City  Document. 


Thomas  Craft  Esqr.  was  Chosen  the  Moderator  Pro.  tempore  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  Arrears  due  on  Taxes  Report  as 
follows  —  Viz*.  — 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  appointed  by  the  Town  On 
Friday  the  24th.  day  of  May,  Ins*,  to  consider  what  measures 
will  be  proper  for  the  Town  to  take  for  the  Speedy  Collection  of 
the  Taxes  for  J791  &  1792.     It  was  moved  and  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  A  Committee  to  Apply  to 
the  Several  Collectors  of  Taxes  and  obtain  from  them  A  List  of 
the  names  of  such  Persons  as  have  refused  to  pay  their  Taxes, 
And  then  that  he  apply  to  the  respective  Persons  whose  Names 
may  be  on  Such  List,  to  know  the  ground  [365.]  of  their  refusal, 
and  what  abatement  they  are  desirous  to  have  made,  And  report 
to  the  Committee 


In  Compliance  with  the  above  Vote.  The  Town  Treasurer  Im- 
mediately Applied  to  the  Collectors  and  Obtained  from  them  the 
Names  of  the  following  Persons  who  had  refused  Payment  as 
aforesaid,  with  the  Sums  they  were  respectively  Assessed,  to- 
gether with  the  abatements  already  made  them  by  the  Assessors 
—  Viz*.  William  Phillips  Senr.  — 

For  1791  Tax        £756  ,,     2   ,,     5 
1792  ditto—    353  ,,   13   ,,     2 


Abated  £182  ,,  — 


William  Phillips  Junr. 
For  1791  Tax        £149   ,,   18  ,,     5 
1792  ditto—      82  ,,  17  ,,     4 


Joseph  Barrell 

For  1791  Tax 

1792  ditto 


Abated  £17  ,,10  — 


317  „     4  „ 
155   ,,     5   ,, 


Abated  £35  ,, 

Samuel  Breck 

For  1791  Tax  —    309   ,,   12  ,,   10 
1792  ditto—    150  ,,   14  ,,     4 


Abated  — £21  ,,  — ' 


Theodore  Lyman 

For  1791  Tax  —    120  ,,   10  ,,     5 
1792  ditto—      50  ,,     1   ,,   10 


Abated  £10  ,,   10  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  335 

John  Codman  — 

For  1791  Tax  —    125   ,,   12   ,,  — 
1792  ditto  77  ,,     3   ,,  — 


Abated  11  ,,  10  — 
The  Town  Treasurer  having  obtained  the  foregoing  List  [366.] 
in  further  compliance  with  the  above  vote  of  the  Committee, 
waited  on  the  respective  Gentlemen  therein  Named,  and  in- 
formed them  of  the  business  whereto  he  was  appointed,  Observ- 
ing to  them  Individually  the  unhappy  situation  of  the  Treasury, 
being  totally  Exhausted  of  money,  and  the  only  Source  Left  of 
A  Supply  was  from  the  Taxes  outstanding,  of  how  much  Impor- 
tance it  would  be  to  the  Town  by  Discharging  their  Tax  bills  — 
That  if  they  felt  themselves  Overburdened  with  the  weight  of 
their  Tax,  It  would  be  the  wish  of  the  Committee  That  they 
should  be  relieved,  and  that  if  they  would  name  any  Particular 
Sum  as  A  reasonable  Abatement,  The  Committee  would  report  to 
the  Town,  and  Urge  A  Compliance  with  their  Wishes,  by  passing 
A  Vote  Authorizing  the  Assessors  to  make  such  abatements  as 
would  be  most  conducive  to  the  Interest  and  Safety  Of  the 
Town  — 

The  Answers  the  Treasurer,  upon  the  Applications  as  above 
received  were  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

Mr.  William  Phillips  Junr.  said  he  had  paid  his  Taxes  with 
Chearf ulness.  That  he  was  willing  to  Pay  A  reasonable  Tax,  but 
the  Tax  of  1791  Assessed  on  him  was  Cruel,  and  that  he  had 
Never  denied  Payment,  but  Expected  an  abatement,  but  did  not 
Name  any  Sum,  —  Mr.  Theodore  Lyman  mentioned  as  the  ground 
of  his  not  [367.]  paying  his  Tax,  that  it  was  unjustly  Assessed 
on  him  in  his  Opinion,  and  that  he  had  reported  his  Property  to 
the  Assessors  1790,  and  in  Consequence  thereof,  that  he  was 
Assessed  in  that  Year  £24  —  That  in  1791,  Although  he  had  made 
Very  Little  Addition  thereto,  he  was  Assessed  £120  ,,  18  ,,  5 
Which  he  Considered  unreasonable,  That  he  had  Often  applied  to 
the  Assessors  for  relief  but  Could  obtain  but  A  Trifling  Abate- 
ment, — 

Mr.  John  Codman  said  he  thought  himself  greatly  Over  taxed 
for  the  Year  1791.  That  if  the  Assessors  Would  take  off  £25  — 
from  that  Tax,  he  would  pay  the  Ballance  immediately,  Otherwise 
he  would  not  pay  the  Tax  Unless  he  was  Obliged  to. 

Mr.  Samuel  Breck  Junr.  informed,  that  he  had  Sometime  Since 
received  Letters  from  his  Father  Not  to  pay  his  Tax,  but  that  he 
had  Very  Lately  received  Letters  from  him  to  Pay  his  Taxes  for 
1791  &  1792,  Provided  the  Assessors  would  take  off  15  ^r. 
Cent  — 

William  Phillips  Sen1',  said  he  had  no  proposition  to  make, 
That  he  had  no  favour  to  ask  of  the  Town,  That  he  thought 
himself  cruelly  treated,  That  if  the  Collectors  insisted  on  his  Pay- 
ing his  Tax  as  it  now  stood,  he  should  Comply  on  his  Signing  A 
certain  receipt,  the  form  of  which  he  had  given  Lately  to  the 


336  City  Document. 

Collector,  That  if  the  Committee  should  [368.]  Report  to  the 
Town  giving  Authority  to  the  Assessors  to  make  any  abatements 
on  his  Tax,  he  would  Consider  them  but  said  at  the  same  time  he 
did  not  feel  himself  at  all  Obliged  for  the  abatement  already 
made  — 

Mr.  Joseph  Barrell  said  he  should  not  Pay  a  farthing  more  than 
what  could  be  recovered  by  Law  of  Either  1791  or  1792.  And 
Looked  on  the  abatement  made  him  by  the  Assessors  to  be  an 
Insult  —  The  above  being  the  Names  of  all  the  Persons  who  had 
refused  Payment  of  Taxes,  by  the  returnes  of  the  Several  Collec- 
tors, and  the  facts  Stated  aboue,  are  the  reasons  and  Grounds 
they  gave  for  non  Payment,  which  is  most  respectfully  Submitted 
to  the  Committee  for  their  Consideration 

Joseph  Russell 
Sub.  Committee  to  the  General  Committee  — 

The  aboue  report  being  refered  to  the  General  Committee  at 
their  Adjournment  on  Thursday  the  30th  of  May  Ins*,  was  then 
and  there  unanimously  Accepteel  — 

Whereupon,  it  was  resolved,  That  the  Collectors  be  Impowered 
and  directed  forthwith  to  distrain  upon  the  Persons  thus  refusing 
to  discharge  their  Tax  bills  and  That  the  Town  will  indemnify 
the  Collectors  from  any  Damages  that  may  Arise  from  such  dis- 
treining  and  Collections,  All  which  is  most  respectfully  sub- 
mitted 

Benjamin  Austin  Junr  ^r.  order  — 

The  Aforegoing  report  having  been  Considered  the  question  was 
put  Viz*,  whether  it  shall  be  accepted  —  Passed  in  the  Affirma- 
tive — 

[369.]  The  Committee  relative  to  Excise  Laws  on  Carriages 
and  reported  —  Whereupon,  Voted,  That  the  representatives  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  be  and  they  are  hereby  Instructed  to  use 
their  Influence  at  the  Present  Session  of  the  General  Court,  to 
have  the  Excise  Laws  on  Wheel  Carriages  repealed  or- so  Modified 
that  the  revenue  arising  therefrom  be  in  future  appropriated  to 
repairing  the  Streets  or  high  ways  of  the  Towns  in  which  they  are 
Collected  — 

The  Committee  appointed  on  the  application  of  the  Proprie- 
tors of  the  West  Boston  Bridge  for  repairs  of  the  High  ways 
leading  from  said  Bridge  into  this  Town  beg  leave  to  report  — 

That  they  have  Attended  the  Service  and  are  of  Opinion  That 
the  road  leading  from  said  bridge  As  far  as  Carnes  buildings  so 
called  be  laid  out  Fiftey  feet  wide.  That  the  Same  be  repaired 
by  raising  the  Road  and  grading  the  Same  as  far  as  Said  Build- 
ings.    That  the  Hill  from  Temple  Street  to  Saic!  buildings  be 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  337 

lowered  by  Ploughing  the  same  So  as  to  make  an  Easy  descent  to 
the  bridge,  That  there  be  A  Paved  Gutter  of  Nine  feet  wide  from 
the  Top  of  the  Hill  to  the  House  called  Simonds  House 

By  an  Estimate  of  the  Expence  that  will  Attend  Compleating 
the  aboue  it  is  computed  [370.]  That  the  Sum  of  Eight  hundred 
&  forty  seven  pounds,  Ten  Shillings  will  be  Necessary  —  your 
Committee  further  report  That  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  pounds  be 
paid  toward  defraying  the  Same,  upon  the  works  being  Completed 
to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Town,  or  any  Committee  they  may  ap- 
point for  that  purpose  —  Ezekiel  Price  Chairman  ^r.  order  — 

The  Aforegoing  Report  having  been  read  and  Considered  The 
Question  was  Put  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Same  shall  be  accepted  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  —  And  the  Same  Committee  are  to 
carry  The  report  into  Execution 

Adjourned  to  Friday  being  the  7th.  day  of  June'  Next,  at  3. 
O'Clock  P.  M  : 

On  Friday  the  7th.  clay  of  June  The  Town  Met  3.  O'Clock 
P.  M.  according  to  Adjournment 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Audit  the  accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer  and  examine  the  draughts  of  the  Selectmen,  and  Over- 
seers of  the  Poor,  and  having  Attended  that  Service  —  Report  — 

That  the  Treasurers  accounts  are  right  cast  and  are  well  Vouched, 
And  find  by  his  account  now  Exhibited  A  balance  in  favour  of 
The  Town  of  £12280  ,,  15  ,,  11^  from  which  they  Conceive  A 
deduction  will  be  made  —  Viz*. 


[371.]     Bad  Debts  Say  £1300  ,,  — 

Collectors  Premium        450  ,,  — 

Towns  Powder     -     -     312  ,,  11 

Abatement  on  1792  Tax  -     600  ,,  — 


£2662  ,,  11  ,,  8 
Real  balance  Suppose 9618  ,,  4  ,,  3% 

'  The  aboue  Statement  is  as  the  Account  Stood  The  first  of 
March  1793.  The  Committee  would  therefore  Advise  to  A  Tax 
of  £9000  —  for  the  Expences  of  the  Present  Year  which  is  Sub- 
mitted 

Thomas  Dawes  *^r.  ordr. 
Boston  May  24th.  1793  — 

The  aforegoing  Report  with  the  Papers  Accompanying  the 
Same  having  been  read  and  Considered  by  the  Town,  The  Ques- 
tion was  put  for  its  acceptance  and  Obtained  — 


338  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  Nine  Thousand  Pounds  be  raised  by  A  Tax 
Assessed  on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town,  to  defray  the  Expences  of  the  Current  Year  — 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds  be  Allowed  and 
Paid  to  Joseph  Russell  for  his  Services  as  Town  Treasurer,  the 
Present  Year,  the  Same  to  be  paid  him  in  Quarterly  Payments  as 
it  shall  become  due  to  Commence  the  first  of  March  last 

[372.]  Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  fifty 
Pounds  be  allowed  and  Paid  to  William  Cooper  for  his  Services 
as  Town  Clerk,  the  Present  Year,  The  Same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  Commence  the  1st.  day  of 
March  last 

Voted,  That  in  Consideration  of  the  rise  of  Provisions.  The 
Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  Allowed  the  Sum  of  £130  —  Each 
for  their  Services  As  Assessors  the  Present  Year  the  same  to  be 
paid  them  Quarterly  as  it  shall  become  due  and  to  Commence  the 
first  da}7  of  March  last. 

Voted,  That  Five  per  Cent  be  and  hereby  is  Allowed  to  the 
Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  Ensuing  for  all  such  Sums  of 
money  &  Public  Securities  As  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  in  to  the 
Several  Treasurers,  of  the  Sums  Committed  to  them  to  Collect. 
Also  That  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  Sufficient  Securi- 
ties to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  discharge 
of  their  duty  in  Said  Office  and  Complying  with  this  Vote,  And 
that  they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  gratuity  for  discounting 
any  order,  notes,  or  receipts,  from  the  Treasurer  of  this  State. 
or  the  Treasurer  of  this  Town  — 

[373.]  On  Motion  Voted,  That  the  Assessors  be  Authorized 
To  Attend  the  Committee  of  the  Legislature  on  the  Tax  Act,  And 
do  their  utmost  Endeavors  That  the  future  Tax  Acts  be  so 
worded  and  formed  that  the  Proportion  of  Assessing  the  Polls 
and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  on  their  Town  and  County  Taxes 
may  be  Explicit  &  Clear  — 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  That  remain  Unfinished  at 
this  meeting  be  referred  over  to  the  next  general  meeting  to  be 
called  — 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  unto  the  Honor- 
able Thomas  Dawes  and  Coll —  Crafts,  for  their  good  Services  as 
—  Moderators  of  this  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  339 

[374.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  Other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legaly  warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Thurs- 
day the  4th.  day  of  July  Anno  Domini  1793.  9.  O'Clock.  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  — 

William  Cooper 
Was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  the  last  Year  to  make  choice  of  A 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  The  Anniversary  of  Indepen- 
dence —  Reported  — 

That  they  had  made  Choice  of  John  Quincy  Adams  Esqr.,  who 
has  Accepted  — 

on  motion  Voted,  That  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old 
South  Church.  12  O'Clock  —  Liberty  therefor  being  Obtained 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr.  Adams  with  this 
Vote  — 

The  meeting  was  then  Adjourned  to  meet  at  the  Old  South 
Church,  at  12.  O'Clock  this  day  — 

AN   ORATION 

To  Commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United   States  was 
delivered  by  John  Quincy  Adams  Esqr.  at  the  Old  Brick  Church  — 

[375.]  On  motion  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby 
are  appointed  A  Committee  to  wait  on  John  Quincy  Adams  Esqr. 
And  in  the  Name  of  the  Town  to  Thank  him  for  the  Spirited  and 
Elegant  Oration  this  clay  delivered  by  him  at  the  request  of  the 
Town,  upon  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America  in  Which  according  to  the  Institution  of  the 
Town,  He  Considered  the  feelings,  manners  and  Principles  which 
Led  to  that  great  National  Event,  and  to  Request  of  him  A  Copy 
thereof  for  the  Press  — 

Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are 
appointed  A  Committee  to  apply  to  Some  one  Learned  and  able 
Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  On  the  4th  of  July  Anno 
Domini  1794.  That  day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States  of  America ;  Wherein  the  Orator 
is  to  Consider  the  feelings,  manners,  and  Principles  which  led  to 
this  great  National  Event ;  as  well  as  the  important  and  happy 
Effects  Whether  General  or  domestic,  which  have  Already  and 
will  forever  Continue  to  flow  from  that  Auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


340  City  Document. 

[376.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  others,  the 
Inhabitants  of  The  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally 
warned  in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  the 
26th.  day  of  July  Anno  Domini  1793.  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  meeting — read 

Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Was  Chosen  Moderator  of  the  meeting  by  A  hand  Vote 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant.  Viz*.  To  Enquire  into  the  truth 
or  Falsity  of  an  Assertion  in  the  Centinel  this  day  that  it  was 
generally  known  That  within  Two  or  three  days  Privateers  had 
been  fitted  out,  Armed  and  Sailed  from  this  Port.  That  others 
were  now  fitting  out,  Some  manned  and  to  be  manned  Partly 
by  frenchmen,  and  Partly  by  the  Citizens  of  the  United  States. 
Such  Assertions  having  A  direct  tendency  to  Authorize  Reports 
&  Conclusions  Very  much  to  the  disadvantage,  not  only  of  this 
Town  at  Large,  but  to  the  Country  in  General  —  was  read  — 

Also  the  Centinel  of  Wednesday  Last  which  Contains  the 
Exceptionable  Article.  And  after  a  full  debate  thereon,  The  fol- 
lowing resolve  was  Past  in  A  Very  full  Town  Meeting  —  Viz1. 

Whereas  it  has  been  published  in  the  Centinel  [377.]  Of 
the  24tl1.  Instant  That  it  was  Asserted  in  A  Merchants  Meeting 
That  it  was  Generally  known  by  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town, 
That  within  Two  or  three  days  from  that  time  Privateers  had 
been  fitted  out  Armed  and  had  Sailed  from  this  Port,  that  others 
were  now  fitting  Out,  Some  manned  &  to  be  manned  Partly  by 
Frenchmen  and  partly  by  Citizens  of  the  United  States ;  and 
Whereas  the  inhabitants  of  this  Town  feel  their  reputation  con- 
cerned in  said  Publication.  They  hereby  do  Declare  in  Town 
meeting  Legally  Assembled,  That  there  was  no  Just  foundation 
for  the  Assertions ;  but  that  the  disposition  of  the  Citizens  of 
Boston  is  Entirely  in  favour  of  Observing  the  rules  of  A  Strict 
neutrality  respecting  the  powers  at  War  in  Europe  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[378.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  The 
26th  day  of  August  Anno  Domini  1793.  3.  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  — read 

Thomas  Crafts  Esq1".  — 
was  Chosen  Moderator  of  the  meeting  by  A  hand  Vote. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  341 

The  Selectmen  having  as  the  Law  directs,  laid  before  the  in- 
habitants, Lists  of  the  Persons  of  good  Mora]  Character  and  such 
as  they  Judged  well  qualified  to  serve  as  Jurors  ;  The  Town  then 
Proceeded  to  Examine  said  Lists,  and  Selected  one  Quarter  part 
of  The  number  being  such  as  they  Judged  best  qualified  to  Serve 
at  the  Supreme  Judicial  Court  and  their  names  being  written  on 
Separate  pieces  of  Paper  were  put  into  one  of  the  boxes,  to  be 
liable  to  be  drawn  out  to  Serve  on  the  Petit  Jury  at  the  Supreme 
Judicial  Court,  and  the  remainder  of  said  List,  the  Names  being 
written  On  Separate  papers  were  put  into  the  other  box  Provided 
by  the  Selectmen  to  Serve  on  the  Petit  Jury  at  The  Court  of  Com- 
mon Pleas,  and  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace,  all  being  Done  in 
[379.]  Town  Meeting  and  Strictly  conformable  to  the  Act 
Entitled  an  act  for  the  regulating  the  choice  and  Services  of 
the  Petit  Jurors.     Passed  the  16th.  June  1784  — 

Article  relative  to  nuisances  —  read 

Whereupon  Voted,  That  this  article  be  referred  to  A  Committee 
to  consider  this  matter  at  large  and  That  the  Selectmen,  Coll — 
Dawes  and  Dr.  Eustis  be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  to  report 
thereon  as  soon  as  soon  as  may  be.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  Assembled  At  Faneuil  Hall  the  11th.  day  of 
September  Anno  Domini  1793. 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Was  Chosen  moderator  By  A  hand  Vote,  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant —  Viz*. 
On  Application  of  Abutters  On  Lynn  Street  at  the  [380.] 
North  part  of  the  town  to  consider  what  measures  to  indemnify 
them  for  Land  laid  out  into  the  Street  Sometime  Since  for  the 
Purpose  of  Widening  the  Same "  was  read  and  Considered 
Whereupon  the  Town' — 

Voted,  That  Mr.  Graham  be  Assured  Lynn  Street  shall  be 
Valued  by  three  indifferent  men  on  oath,  and  be  paid  the  Same 
agreeable  to  the  said  Award,  also  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  appoint  Three  In- 
different Persons  agreeable  to  Law,  to  Value  the  said  Lands  of 
abutters  On  Lynn  Street,  taken  in  by  the  Town  in  consequence 
of  Widening  the  Same  and  make  report  of  their  doings  at  the 
Adjournment  of  the  meeting  — 


842  City  Document. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  fortnight  being  the  30^  September 
instant  10.  0' Clock  A:  M: 

Monday  10.  O'Clock  A :  M :  The  Town  Met  according  to 
Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  Lynn  Street  Not  having  been  able 
to  report  by  reason  of  their  attention  being  Engaged,  jn  using 
Precautions  to  Prevent  the  introduction  of  rhe  malignant  disorder 
at  Philadelphia  —  It  was  moved  &  Voted  That  this  meeting  be 
Adjourned  to  Monday  Next  the  7th.  day  of  October  Next  at  10 
O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

[381.]  Monday  the  7th.  day  of  October,  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 
The  Town  Met  — 

The  Committee  relative  to  Lynn  Street  Reported  Verbally  and 
had  Leave  to  report  again 

Adjourned  to  monday  the  21st.  Instant 

Monday  21st.  Octor.  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  have  the  Lands  of  the  abutters  on 
Lynn  Street  Valued  (taken  by  the  Town  in  Consequence  of 
Widening  the  Same)  having  attended  that  Service ;  and  having 
Appointed  three  Indifferent  Persons,  Agreeable  to  A  Vote  of  the 
Town  to  apprize  and  Value  the  Same,  who  having  reported  to  us, 
there  doings  thereon,  we  now  lay  the  Same  before  the  Town  for 
their  Consideration  — 

William  Boardman  Chairman  ^r.  ordr. 

The  aforegoing  report  together  with  the  Return  made  by  the 
Committee  having  been  read  and  Considered.  The  Question  was 
put.  whether  the  same  shall  be  Accepted.  Passed  in  the  Affir- 
mative — 

At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil 
Hall  on  Friday  the  4th.  day  of  October  A.  D.  1793,  at  10  O'Clock 

[382.]     Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  Consider  the  propriety 
of  Appointing  one  or  more  Persons,  in  each  Ward  in  the  Town, 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  343 

to  Assist  the  Selectmen  in  the  duty  lately  incumbent  on  them 
relating  to  the  infectious  distemper  Prevalent  in  Philadelphia, 
and  to  take  such  other  measures  respecting  the  Same  as  they 
may  Judge  Necessary  was  read,  and  Considered,  and  the  follow- 
ing Votes  thereon  Passed  —  Viz*.  — 

While  we  lament  the  Present  unhappy  &  distressed  Situation  of 
our  brethren  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Yet  the  Preservation  of 
our  Own  Lives  and  health,  requires  that  every  Exertion  should 
be  made  to  Prevent  the  introduction  of  the  Contagious  disease 
Now  Prevailing  in  that  City  —  Therefore  —  Voted,  That  the 
Town  highly  pprove  of  the  Regulations  Adopted  by  the  Gen- 
tlemen the  Selectmen  to  Prevent  the  Introduction  of  the  said 
Disease  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  will  cheerfully  Support  the  Selectmen 
In  Carrying  their  regulations  into  the  fullest  effect,  by  their 
Personal  Assistance  whenever  thereto  required.  — 

[383.]  Voted,  That  any  Expences  that  may  necessarily  Arise 
in  the  Prosecution  of  the  important  trust  of  Preserving  the  in- 
habitants from  the  disease  shall  be  cheerfully  discharged  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  desired  to  apply  to  the  inhabi- 
tants for  their  removing  the  Filth  of  their  Yards,  and  back 
Places, into  the  Streets  in  order  for  its  being  Carried  off  at  the 
expence  of  the  Town  — 

Adjourned,  to  Monday  the  7th.  Instant  At,  10  O'Clock, 
A:M:  - 

On  October  7th,  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  The  Town  Met,  Accord- 
ing to  Adjournment  — 

on  motion  —  Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  tc 
Judge  Crafts  for  his  exertions  and  good  Services  as  Moderator  of 
this  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[384:.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  in  Public  Town  Meeting  Assembled 
at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Friday  the  11th.  day  of  October  1793,  10 
O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read 

Hon51l  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1'. 
Chosen  Moderator  of  this  meeting  by  A  hand  Vote  — 


344  City  Document. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*.  —  To  consult  what  measures 
are  Proper  to  be  taken  by  the  Town  for  Attending  the  funeral  of 
his  Excellency  John  Hancock  Esqr.  Late  Governor  of  this  Com- 
monwealth deceasd.  That,  every  mark  of  Respect  may  be  made 
by  his  Fellow  Citizens  to  the  Remains  of  So  Illustrious  A  Patriot 
and  Friend  to  Manhood,  Whereupon  the  following  Votes  were 
Passed  Unanimously  — 

In  order  to  pay  that  respect  to  the  Funeral  Solemnities  of  his 
Excellency,  the  Late  Govr.  Hancock  which  is  Suitable  to  the  feel- 
ings of  the  Inhabitants  on  the  Occasion.  — 

Voted,  That  it  is  recommended  to  the  Inhabitants,  That  they 
shut  their  Stores  and  Shops  At  one  of  the  Clock  P  :  M  :  on  Mon- 
day Next  and  Continue  the  Same  Shut  until  the  funeral  Solem- 
nities shall  be  Performed  — 

[385.]  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  To  Cause 
the  Carriages,  Trucks  &  other  obstructions  to  be  removed  from 
State  Street,  and  Other  Streets  where  the  Procession  may  be,  On 
Monday  afternoon 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  To  order  the  Public 
Bells  to  be  Tolled  suitably  On  the  Occasion  — 

Then  The  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


We  the  subscribers,  being  duly  Appointed  by  The  Selectmen 
of  the  Town  of  Boston,  with  the  consent  of  the  Persons  interested, 
A  Committee  "to  consider  and  report,  the  advantages  and  dis- 
advantages, that  the  different  abutters  on  Each  side  of  Lynn 
Street  (so  called,)  in  the  said  Town  of  Boston,  may  have  re- 
ceived in  Consequence  of  Widening  the  Same ;  having  carefully 
viewed  the  said  Street,  &  the  Several  Lotts  of  Land  contiguous 
thereto ;  &  having  duly  considered  the  Advantages  &  disadvan- 
tages accruing  to  the  Proprietors  thereof,  respectively,  in  Conse- 
quence of  the  said  Alteration  Report  in  manner  following.  — 
Viz*.— 

[386.]  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid,  by  the  said  Town 
of  Boston,  unto  John  Graham,  in  full  Consideration  for  the 
repairs  he  has  made  on  an  Old  House,  Situate  on  the  Southeast 
corner  of  said  Lynn  Street,  opposite  to  the  Globe  Tavern  (so 
called)  The  Sum  of  Twenty  four  Founds,  Provided  he  shall 
within  A  reasonable  time,  to  be  determined  by  the  Selectmen  of 
Boston,  remove  the  part  thereof  which  projects  into  said  Street, 
and  effectually  fill  up  the  Cellar  under  the  Same,  and  that  there 
be   allowed   and  paid  by  said  Town  of  Boston  unto  said  John 


Boston  Town  Records,  1793.  345 

G-rahani,  the  further  Sum  of  Twelve  pounds  in  full  compensation 
for  the  Lands  he  will  relinquish  to  accommodate  Said  Street.  — 

That,  there  be  allowed  and  paid,  by  said  Town  of  Boston  unto 
the  Heirs  or  Legal  representatives  of  [Zachariah]  Hildreth  de- 
ceased the  Sum  of  Ten  Pounds,  in  full  compensation  for  the 
Lands  he  will  relinquish  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

That  there  be  allowed  and  paid,  by  said  Town  of  Boston  unto 
Deacon  [Richard]  Smith  the  Sum  of  Fifteen  Pounds  in  full  Com- 
pensation for  that  part  of  an  Old  House  which  projects  into  said 
Street;  Provided  he  shall  remove  the  Same  in  A  reasonable  time 
to  be  determined  by  the  Selectmen  of  Boston  —  Also  that  [387.] 
there  be  allowed  and  paid  unto  said  [Richard]  Smith  the  further 
sum  of  Nine  pounds  in  full  Compensation  for  the  Lands  he  will 
relinquish  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid.  — 

That,  There  be  allowed  and  paid,  by  the  Said  Town  of  Boston 
unto  Elijh.  Swift,  the  Sum  of  Five  Founds  in  full  Compensation 
for  that  part  of  his  House  which  Projects  into  said  Street ;  Pro- 
vided he  shall  remove  the  same  in  A  reasonable  time,  to  be  deter- 
mined by  the  Selectmen  of  Boston ;  Also,  that  there  be  allowed 
unto  Said  Swift  the  further  Sum  of  Four  Founds  in  full  Com- 
pensation for  the  Loss  of  A  Well  of  water,  and  the  Lands  he  will 
relinquish  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

That,  there  be  allowed  and  paid,  by  said  Town  of  Boston, 
Unto  the  Heirs  or  Legal  representatives,  of  Benjamin  Brown 
deceased  the  Sum  of  Twelve  Founds  in  full  Compensation  for  the 
Land  they  will  relinquish  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

That,  there  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the  said  Town  of  Boston 
unto  James  White,  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Founds,  in  full  Compen- 
sation of  an  old  Brick  Tenement  the  greater  part  of  which  Pro- 
jects into  said  Street ;  Provided  he  shall  remove  the  Same  within 
A  reasonable  time  to  be  determined  by  the  [388.]  Selectmen  of 
Boston,  also  that  there  shall  be  allowed  and  paid,  unto  the  said 
White  the  further  Sum  of  Twenty  Pounds  in  full  Compensation 
for  the  Land  he  will  relinquish  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

That  there  be  Allowed  and  paid,  by  said  Town  of  Boston  unto 
David  Townsend,  the  Sum  of  Five  Pounds,  for  the  Lands  he 
will  relinquish  of  his  Easterly  Lott,  for  the  Purposp  aforesaid  — 

That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  by  said  Town  of  Boston  unto 
to  the  Owners  or  Proprietors  of  the  Several  Lotts  of  Land  Situ- 
ate on  the  Southerly  side  of  said  Lynn  Street,  their  heirs  or  legal 
representatives  respectively  not  herein  before  Particularised,  from 
[John]  Graham's  House  at  the  Corner  First  mentioned,  to  [James] 
White's  House  —  inclusively,  The  following  Sums  —  Vizk.  for  the 


346  City  Document. 

Lands  relinquished  out  of  each  Lott  which  does  not  extend  Aboue 
Ninety  feet  Southerly,  from  the  Original  bounds  of  said  Lynn 
Street,  the  sum  of  Six  Shillings  for  each  and  every  foot  in  length 
which  they  may  relinquish  for  the  purpose  aforesaid  — 

And  also  the  owners  or  Proprietors  of  the  several  Lotts  of 
Land,  from  said  Grahams  Corner  first  mentioned,  Whose  lotts 
Extend  more  then  Ninety,  -and  not  Exceeding  One  [389.]  hun- 
dred &  Twenty  feet  Southerly  from  the  Original  bounds  of  said 
Lynn  Street,  The  Sum  of  Three  Shillings  for  Each  and  every 
fcot  in  length  which  they  may  relinquish  for  the  Purpose  afore- 
said. — 

The  Owners  or  Proprietors  of  the  Several  Lotts  of  Land, 
Whose  Lotts  Extend  Southerly  from  the  Original  Bounds  of  said 
Lynn  Street  more  than  One  hundred  and  Twenty  feet  will,  in  our 
opinion,  receive  an  ample  compensation  for  the  Lands  they  will 
relinquish,  by  the  benefit  they  will  derive  from  the  widening  & 
improving  said  Street.  — 

And  Whereas,  the  owners  or  proprietors  of  the  Several  Lotts 
of  Land  Situate  on  the  Northerly  side  of  said  Lynn  Street,  from 
the  Globe  Tavern  (so  called)  to  a  Stake  marked  in  A  plan 
thereof,  being  Nine  hundred  and  Sixty  Six  feet,  and  whose  Lotts 
Extend  Northerly  to  Low  water  Mark,  will  derive  great  Advan- 
tages by  the  widening  and  improving  the  Same,  and  it  Appears 
Just  and  reasonable  that  they  should  Contribute  in  A  due  Pro- 
portion towards  the  Charge  thereof 

We  therefore,  Pursuant  to  the  Agreement  aforesaid,  Do  hereby 
Assess  upon  Each  and  Every  of  the  Owners  and  Proprietors 
aforesaid,  their,  and  each  of  their  Heirs  and  legal  representatives, 
The  Sum  of  [390.]  Three  Shillings  for  each  and  every  foot  of 
Lands  which  may  be  bounded  on  the  said  Street  as  aforesaid, 
The  Lotts  from  Samuel  Greenwoods  Westerly  to  Corner  of  Ben- 
jamin Goodwins  west  corner  excepted.  —  to  be  paid  unto  the 
Treasurer  of  said  Town  of  Boston  When  thereto  required  as  the 
Selectmen  shall  direct,  And  to  be  applied  as  far  as  the  Same  will 
go,  towards  defraying  the  Charge  of  Widening  and  improving  the 
same.  Dated  at  Boston  aforesaid,  the  seventh  day  of  October 
Anno  Domini  1793  — 

John  Reed  ~\ 

Joseph  Cordis     >-  Committee 
Thomas  Clarke  ) 
Suffolk  ss  : 

Boston  Octor.  7th  1793.  Then  Personally  Appeared 
John  Reed  Joseph  Cordis  &  Thomas  Clarke  and  Severally  made 
Oath  that  they  have  Performed  the  with[in]  mentioned  duty  to 
the  best  of  their  Skill  and  knowledge  —  Before  me  Thomas  Crafts 
Jus  Peace. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  347 

The  Committee's  Charge  for  time  &  Expences  £2  ,,  2  ,,  — 

Attst.  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk 

On  Motion  Voted  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to 
Judge  Crafts  for  his  good  Services  as  Moderator  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[391.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
Public  Towk  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Thursday  the 
18S  clay  of  February  A.  D.  1794.  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote, 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  — 
That  at  the  Request  of  A  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  Town, 
deeply  concerned  in  the  Prosperity  of  our  Trade  in  General  and 
of  the  Carrying  Trade  in  particular,  The  inhabitants  would  take 
into  consideration  this  highly  interesting  Subject  and  Devise 
Such  measures  as  may  best  express  the  Sentiments  of  the  Town. 
Thereupon  was  read, — And  after  A  fair  and  Candid  investiga- 
tion came  into  the  following  resolution  with  Scarce  A  dissenting 
Vote  —  Viz*.  Resolved  That  in  the  opinion  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
this  Town  the  Carrying  Trade  is  of  the  highest  importance  to  the 
Strength,  Wealth  &  independence  of  the  United  States 

[392.]  Resolved,  That  A  Committee  be  appointed  to  Con- 
sider and  report  the  State  of  the  Trade  at  large  and  to  prepare 
resolutions  for  the  Towns  consideration  respecting  the  effects 
which  certain  restrictions  laid  On  the  Trade  of  America  by  Euro- 
pean Nations  have,  as  the  same  and  to  report  such  resolutions  as 
may  have  A  proper  influence  on  our  representatives  in  Congress 
to  induce  the  Passing  of  such  Acts  as  may  tend  to  guard  Protect 
and  regulate  the  American  Commerce  in  General  — 

Voted,  That  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Perez  Morton  Esqr. 
Samuel  Brown  Esqr. 
John  C.  Jones     -     -     Esq1. 
James  Sullivan    -     -     Esqr. 
Joseph  Blake      -     -     Esq1'. 
Benja.  Austin  Junr.  Esqr. 
Cap*.  Nathaniel  Fellows 


348  City  Document. 

William  Little     -     -     Esqr. 
Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 
William  Eustis  Esqr. 
Leonard  Jarvis  Esqr. 
Mr.  Jesse  Putnam 
John  Codman      -     -     Esqr. 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

Then  the  Meeting  Adjourned  to  Monday  24th.  Ins*.  10  O 'Clock 
A  :  M  : 

[393.]  Monday  the  24th.  February  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  The 
Town  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  appointed  the  13th.  Instant  to  give  A  State  of 
the  Trade  at  large  &  to  prepare  suitable  resolves  for  the  Town, 
Reported  as  on  File  — 

On  Motion,  The  Hall  not  being  capacious  enough  to  Admit  the 
Inhabitants,  the  meeting  was  Adjourned  to  the  Old  South  Church 
at  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  — 

3  O'Clock  P :  M :  Town  met  at  the  old  S°.  Church  as  ^r. 
Adjournm* 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  again  —  read  The  meeting  after 
Some  debates  was  Adjourned  to  the  25th  Instant  to  meet  at  this 
place  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Met  according  According  to  Adjournment  Tuesday  the  25th 
Instant  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

The  Report  again  taken  up  at  large  &  after  A  fair  discussion 
The  Question  Put,  Whether  the  further  Consideration  of  this 
report  for  the  present  be  referred,  passed  in  the  affirmative.  On 
Motion  Adjourned  without  day  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[394.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  Legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Monday 
the  10th.  day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1794.  10  O'Clock  A :  M  : 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Doctr.  Lothrop  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  349 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  meeting 
were  accordingly  —  read  — 

The  Town  having  Voted :  to  come  to  the  Choice  of  A  Moder- 
ator by  A  hand  Vote,  — 

Thomas  Craft  Esqr. 
was  Chosen  Moderator,  Unanimously  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  Town  Clerk  and  the  Same  being  brought  in  & 
Counted,  it  appeared  that  * 

"William  Cooper 
was  Chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  Year  Ensuing  and  an  Oath  of 
Office  was  Administred  to  him  by  M1'.  Justice  Crafts 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  Nine  Selectmen  and  upon  Sorting  them  it  appeared 
That  the  following  Gentlemen  Viz*. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 
[395.]  Thomas  Walley  Esqr. 

Deacon  William  Boardman 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever 
Thomas  Crafts  —  Esqr. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esq1'. 
Mr.  William  Little 
Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
William  Scollay  —  Esqr. 
Were  Chosen  Selectmen  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell 
was  Chosen  Town  Treasurer  Unanimously  for  the  Year  Ensuing 
and  the  Oath  of  office  Administred  to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  give  Bond  with  Sureties  to 
the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen,  in  the  Sum  and  Penalty  of 
Ten  Thousand  Pounds  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  his  Office- — 

Votes,  for  A  Treasurer  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  bro*.  in  and 
Counted  by  the  Moderator  and  The  Town  Clerk  when  it  appeared 
That  the  whole  number  was  Three  hundred  and  forty  Three. 
Of  which  Three  hundred  and  Thirty  Six  were  for  Thomas  Crafts 
Esq1',  and  five  for  Joseph  Russell,  Town  Treasurer,  both  discreet 
and  Suitable  Persons,  being  freeholders  and  Residents  in  said 
County  ;  the  other  two  were  for  William  Cooper  Town  Clerk  — 

[396.]  an  attested  copy  hereof  was  given  to  Ezek1.  Price 
Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  by  ColP  Crafts  — 


350  City  Document. 

The  Inhabitants  having  as  directed  brought  in  their  Votes  for 
Twelve  Overseers  of  the  Poor  on  counting  and  Sorting  the  Same, 
It  appeared  That  — 

Jonathan  Mason  —  Esqr. 
John  White  —  Esqr. 
Edward  Procter  —  Esqr. 
John  Sweetser  —  Esqr. 
Samuel  Parkman  —  Esqr. 
Jonathan  L.  Austin  —  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes  — 
Henry  Hill  — Esq1'. 
John  Codman  Junr.  — Esqr. 
Mr.  William  Smith  — 
William  Phillips  Junr.  —  Esqr. 
Stephen  Gorham  —  Esqr. 
Were  Chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Sixteen  Fire  Wards,  And  the 
Same  being  Sorted  and  Counted  It  appeared  That  — 

Mr.  Thomas  Tileston  — 

John  Winthrop  —  Esqr. 

Thomas  Melvill  —  Esq1'. 

Jabez  Hatch  —  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark  — 

Joseph  Russell  Jim  —  Esqr. 
[397.]  Mr.  Edward  Edes  — 

Samuel  Parkman  —  Esqr. 

Amasa  Davis  —  Esq1. 

Russell  Sturgis  —  Esq1'. 

Henry  Jackson  —  Esqr. 

Cap1.  Mungo  Mack  ay  — 

William  Scollay —  Esqr. 

William  Little  — Esqr.  .     . 

Mr.  James  Tisdale  — 

Joseph  May  —  Esqr. 
were  Chosen  Fire  Wards  for  the  Ensuing  Year 

Voted,  That  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  directed  to  Set 
for  such  abatements  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  Judge  reasonable, 
two  Days  in  Each  Week  after  the  delivery  of  the  Tax  Books  to 
the  Collectors,  for  the  Space  of  Six  weeks  and  no  longer,  Saving 
that  they  be  allowed  to  Set  the  last  Week  in  February,  Lords 
days  excepted,  for  the  abatement  of  the  Taxes  of  such  persons  as 
had  not  the  opportunity  of  applying  in  the  aboue  Limited  time 
by  reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Commonwealth  or  any  other 
Unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the  Assessors  determine  upon 
the  said  Two  days,  which  is  to  be  Noted  on  the  Tax  bills  to  be 
Delivered  to  the  Inhabitants  — 

[398.]     The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Five  Assessors.  It 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  351 

appeared  that  the  following  Persons  were  Chosen  Assessors  for 
the  Year  Ensuing  —  Viz1. 

Giles  Harris  —  Esq1. 

Samuel  Ruggles  —  Esqr. 

Messrs.  John  R.  Sigorney 

Thomas  Hitchbourn 

Caleb  Blanchard 

Voted,  That  in  Addition  to  the  Selectmen  twelve  persons  shall 
now  be  chosen  as  A  School  Committee  and  the  Votes  being 
brought  in.  Sorted  and  Counted  it  appeared  —  That  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  Chosen  —  Viz*. 

Hon^?  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1. 

Revd.  Samuel  West  — 

Revd.  John  Lothrop  — 

John  Coffin  Jones  —  Esqr. 

Jonathan  L.  Austin  —  Esqr. 

William  Tudor  —  Esqr. 

Doctr.  Thomas  Welsh  — 

DoetV  Nathaniel  Appleton 

Revd.  John  Clark 

Mr.  William  Smith 

Doctr.  Aaron  Dexter 

George-R.  Minot  —  Esqr. 

Voted,  That  the  aforenamed  Gentlemen  who  Conjunctly,  with 
the  Selectmen  are  Terai'd  the  School  Committee  be  and  hereby 
are  directed  to  carry  [399.]  The  new  System  of  Education 
which  has  been  Adopted  by  the  Town  into  operation,  And  said 
Committee  are  also  Authorized  and  empowered  Conjunctly  to 
manage  and  regulate  the  affairs  and  Government  of  the  Schools, 
and  in  future  to  exercise  all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  Schools, 
and  Schoolmasters  which  the  Selectmen  or  such  Committees  are 
Authorized  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth  or  the  Votes  Of 
this  Town  to  exercise ;  any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  notwith- 
standing— 

The  Petition  of  Jirah  Holbrook,  that  Allowance  may  be  made 
him  for  the  Losses  that  he  Sustained  —  read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  the  Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Joseph  May — Esqr. 
Dr.  Nathaniel  Noyes  — 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  the  Same  and  to  Report  thereon  — 

Voted,  That  the  Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Herman  Brimmer  Esqr. 
Joseph  Russell  Jur.  Esqr. 
Be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Audit  the  accounts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer  and  also  accounts  of  the  Selectmen  and 


352  City  Document. 

Overseers  of  the  poor —  [400. J  And  said  Committee  are  also 
directed  to  report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the  Service 
of  the  present  Year. 

The  Petition  of  A  Number  of  the  Inhabitants  that  the  high 
way  Leading  from  Prince  Street,  To  the  North  Mills  —  read  — 
Whereupon  Voted, — That  the  Selectmen  be  A  Committee  to 
consider  the  Same  &  report  thereon  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Twelve  Constables,  It  appeared 
That  The  following  Persons  were  Chosen  — 

Mess1-  Shubael  Hews 

Benjamin  Homans 
John  Bosson 
John  Cades 
John  Butterfield 
James  Perkins 
Samuel  White 
Enoch  May 
Thomas  Stevenson 
Robert  Smallpeace 
David  Lewis 
Andrew  Townsend 

Adjourned,  to  3.  O'Clock.  P :  M : 

3.  O'Clock  P:  M  :  Met  according  to  Adjournment  — 

Voted,  That  five  ^r.  Cent  be  and  hereby  is  allowed  to  the  Col- 
lectors of  Taxes  for  the  Year  ensuing  [401.]  For  all  such  Sums 
of  Money  and  Public  Securities  as  they  shall  Collect  and  pay  into 
the  Several  Treasurers  of  the  Sums  Committed  to  them  to  Collect, 
also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  Sufficient  Sureties 
to  the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  duty  in  said  Office  and  Complying  with  this  Vote ;  And  that 
they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  Or  gratuity  for  discounting 
any  order  Notes  or  receipts  from  the  Treasurer  of  this  State  or 
the  Treasurer  of  this  Town  — 

The  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  four  Collectors  of  Taxes  It 
appeared  That  — 

Mess-  Benjamin  Henderson 
Thomas  Bayley 
James  Thompson 
Benjamin  Jepson 
Were  Chosen  Collectors  of  Taxes  for  the  Year  Ensuing  —  - 

The  Selectmen  were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  the  High  ways  for 
the  Year  Ensuing  — 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1794.  363 

Mess-  William  Richardson 
Benjamin  Goldthwait 
Charles  Miller  Junr. 
Seth  Adams 
Thomas  Capen 
[402.]  Joseph  Cowden 

John  Amory  Tertius 
John  Peck 
Nathaniel  Sigorney 
Samuel  Summer  Jun1'. 
Thos.  Bartlett 
Joseph  Peirce  Junr. 
were  Chose  Clerks  of  the  Market  the  Year  Ensuing 

Mess™.  Benjamin  White 
Joseph  May 
Andrew  Townsend 
William  Todd 
Charles  Barry 
were  Chosen  Fence  Viewers  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mess-  Thomas  Bradley 
William  Billings 
David  Hollis 
Matthew  Loring 
Were  Chosen  Sealers  of  Leather  the  Year  Ensuing 

Mess™  William  Mc.Neil 

Jeffery  Richardson 
Were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Hemp  the  Year  Ensuing 

Mr.  Abraham  Adams 

was  Chosen an  Informer  of  Deer  — 

for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

[403.]  Mess™  Richard  Horsefall 

Francis  Booth 
Edward  Jones 
Were  Chosen  Haywards  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mess™  John  Keyer 

George  Cammell 
were  Chosen  Hogreaves  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

Mess™  Joshua  Whetherly 
Samuel  Austin 

were  Chosen  Assay  masters  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

John  Lucas  —  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
Were  Chosen  Surveyors  of  Wheat  the  Year  Ensuing 


354  City  Document. 

Mess?.  Willm  Cunningham 
Edward  Weld 
Jirah  Holbrook 
Alden  Bass 
Joseph  Gleason 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  wood  for  the  Year  Ensuing 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  consider  the  represen- 
tation of  the  overseers  of  the  poor,  relative  to  the  deranged  State 
of  the  Almshouse  and  Workhouse  —  read  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  A  Committee  be  now  chosen  [404.]  To  Joyn  the 
overseers  of  the  poor  to  consider  this  matter  and  report  thereon, — 

Voted,  That  the  Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
William  Scollay  —  Esqr. 
Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever 
Thomas  Crafts  —  Esq1. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch 
Charles  Jarvis  —  Esqr. 
William  Little  —  Esqr. 
Joseph  Eussell  T.  Treasur. 
Be  A  Committee  for  the  Purpose  aforesaid  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Twelve  Surveyors  of  Boards. 
It  appeared  that 

Messrs.  John  Champney 
Joshua  Bentley 
Samuel  Dyer 
Benjamin  Page 
Benjamin  White 
Edmund  Ranger 
William  Clouston 
James  Blake 
James  Robbins 
John  Cogswell 
Abraham  Hayward 
William  Darricut 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  the  Year  Ensuing 

[405.]  The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Thirteen  Cullers  of 
Hoops  and  Staves,  It  appeared  that  — 

Cap*.    Lemuel  Gardner 
Mess-  Joseph  Loring 

Thomas  Barber 

George  Singleton 

Edward  Burt 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1794.  355 

Thomas  Foster 
William  Parkman 
John  Bray 
Henry  Purket 
Jonathan  Cushing 
James  Barry 
Hezekiah  Hutson 
Phillip  Hitchbourn 
Were  chosen  cullers  of  hoops  &  Staves  the  Ensuing  Year  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  the  24th  day  of  March  Instant  at  3. 
O'Clock  P:M: 

Monday  the  24th  day  of  March  Instant,  at  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  : 
Met  as  ^r.  Adjournment 

Mr.  Joseph  Clark  chosen  A  Fire  ward  and  having  declined 
Serving,  it  was  — 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  Given  him  for  his  good 
Services  in  that  office  for  Years  past 

[406.]  Mr.  William  Sherbourne 

was  chosen  A  Fire  Ward  for  the  Present  Year  — 

David  Townsend  Esqr. 
was  chosen  one  of  the  School  Committee  in  the  room  of  John 
Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  who  has  resigned 

Mr.  Henry  Crumstone 
was  chosen  Constable  in  the   room   of    Mr.  Cade  who   has   re- 
signed — 

The  Committee  on  the  Petition  of  Mr.  Jirah  Holbrook,  report 
as  their  opinion,  That  the  Petitioner  has  no  claim  on  the  Town 
for  any  compensation  for  any  Losses  sustained  Either  at  Battery 
march  or  cow  lane,  Your  Committee  would  Inform  the  Town,  That 
by  A  Certificate,  Signed  by  Oliver  Wendell  and  others  who  say 
that  in  their  opinion  Mr.  Holbrook  would  have  made  A  generous 
profit  had  not  the  pavement  in  Battery  march  been  ordered  to  be 
raised  much  higher  then  was  at  first  contemplated,  by  which  he 
Sustained  of  course  A  Loss  as  they  say  of  about  Thirty  Pounds  — 
Your  Committee  would  therefore  propose  for  the  Consideration 
of  the  Town  —  As  the  Street  is  much  better,  and  the  Town 
greatly  benefited  by  the  pavement  being  thus  raised  ;  Whether 
the  Petitioner  may  not  be  permitted  to  Exhibit  [407.]  An 
Account  for  the  extra  Gravel  &c  Supplied  and  the  Selectmen 
Authorized  to  give  him  A  draught  for  Payment  of  the  same. 
Provided  it  shall  not  Exceed  The  Sum  of  Thirty  Pounds  — 

Thomas  Crafts  ^r.  order  — 


356  City  Document. 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read,  and  considered,  the 
question  was  put  —  Viz*.  Whether  this  report  shall  be  accepted  — 
and  it  Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Town  At  their  annual  meet- 
ing on  the  10th.  day  of  March  Ins*,  to  take  into  consideration  the 
deranged  state  of  the  Almshouse  and  workhouse  agreeable  to  the 
representation  of  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  Have  attended  that 
Service  and  report  As  their  opinion  —  That  the  Gentlemen  Over- 
seers of  the  poor,  be  requested  to  put  in  decent  repair  the  Brick 
building  between  the  Almshouse  and  the  work  house  for  their  use 
And  also,  that  they  have  leave  to  Appropriate  such  part  of  the 
Workhouse  for  an  Almshouse  as  they  shall  Judge  Expedient  for 
the  more  immediate  and  better  accomodation  of  such  poor  & 
Indigent  Persons  as  may  be  the  proper  Objects  of  their  care,  and 
ask  leave  To  Set  again  Thomas  Dawes  ^r.  order 

[408.]  The  foregoing  report  having  been  Read,  and  was 
accepted  — 

Mr.  Moses  Bradley 
was  appointed  one  of  the  Sealers  of  Wood  ye.  Year  Ensuing 

On  motion,  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  requested  to  Insert 
in  the  Warrant  for  May  Meeting  an  Article  relative  to  Faneuil 
Hall  Market  — 

Voted,  That  all  Matters  and  things  which  shall  remain  Unfin- 
ished at  this  meeting  shall  be  referred  over  to  next  may  Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  Thomas 
Crafts  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as  Moderator  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[409.]  At  A  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town 
of  Boston  of  Twenty  one  Years  of  Age  and  upwards,  Qualified  as 
the  Constitution  prescribes  and  Legally  Warned  in  Public  Town 
meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  The  7th.  day  of 
April  Anno  Domini  1 794  — 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Dr.  Stillman 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

Paragraphs  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Goverment,  rela- 
tive to  the  Choice  of  Governor,  Lieu*.  Governor  and  Senators  — 
read  — 

\ 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  357 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen  that  no  Votes  would  be 
received,  but  such  as  were  unfolded  and  that  they  Propose  the 
Poll  shall  be  Closed  at  one  O' Clock.  The  Votes  to  be  received  at 
the  Table  and  the  Bells  to  begin  Tolling  at  half  past  12  O'  Clock  — 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor  — 
with  the  Number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  — Viz*. 


Votes 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams 

Esqr.  - 

-  1400 

HonSi  "William  Cushing 

Esqr.  - 

-     894 

Hon^  Elbridge  Gerry    - 

-     Esqr.   - 

1 

HonHs  Samuel  Phillips 

Esqr.  - 

5 

HonH?  Thomas  Russell 

Esqr.  - 

1 

Hon^  Azor  Orne      -     - 

-     Esqr.  - 

1 

Votes 

Esqr.  - 

-     832 

Esqr.  - 

-  1287 

Esqr.  - 

11 

Esqr.   - 

22 

Esqr.   - 

81 

Esq1.  - 

-       31 

Esqr,  - 

4 

Esqr.  - 

6 

Esq1".  - 

3 

Esqr.  - 

2 

Esqr.  - 

1 

[410.]         Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieu4.  Governor  — 
with  the  number  of  Votes  for  Each  Person  —  Viz*. 

His  Honor  Samuel  Adams 
Hon™£  Moses  Gill      -     - 
Honble.  William  Heath  — 
Honble.  Nathaniel  Gorham 
Honble.  James  Bowdoin  — 
Honble.  Elbridge  Gerry  - 
Honble.  Thomas  Russell 

Ebenezer  Hancock 
Honble.  Samuel  Phillips  - 
Honble.  William  Cushing 

John  Vinal     -     - 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  county  of  Suffolk,  with 
the  Number  of  Votes  for  each  Person  -  -  -  Viz*. 

Votes 
Hon!2l5   Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.   -     - 
Honble.  Benjamin  Austin  Junr. 
Honble.  Oliver  Wendell  -     -     -     - 
Theophilus  Cushing  Esqr. 
Charles  Cushing  Esqr.  of  Hingham 
Honble.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr.  -     - 
Charles  Cushing  Esqr. 
John  Sweetser    -     -     Esqr. 
"William  Eustis  -     -     Esqr 
Honble.  James  Bowdoin  - 
Honble.  John  C.  Jones     - 
Charles  Jarvis     - 
Honble.  Stephn.  Higginson      -     - 
"William  Tudor       -     - 
Jonathan  Mason    -     - 

[411.]     Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  Voted  for  as  Gover- 


- 

2250 

Esqr. 

1339 

Esqr. 

2272 

-     - 

951 

- 

1126 

- 

971 

-     - 

135 

,  -     - 

38 

- 

4 

Esqr. 

Esqr. 
Esqr. 
Esq1. 
Esqr. 
Esqr. 

4 
4 
7 
2 
1 
1 

358  City  Document. 

nor,  Lieu*.  Governor,  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were 
Committed  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  the  In- 
closures  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting  Superscribed  as  follows  — 
Viz*.  — 

For  John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 

of  Massachusetts 

The  Number  of  Votes  of  The  Town  of  Boston  for  A  Governor 
and  four  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk.  Certified  within  and 
Sealed  up  in  the  Town  Meeting  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[413.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  Warned 
in  Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall.  On  Wednes- 
day the  7th.  day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1794.  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Doctr.  Thatcher  — 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read 

That  part,  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Goverment  which 
relates  to  representatives  —  read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  Said  Meeting  were  Accordingly  — 
read  — 

The  Town  having  determined  by  A  Vote  to  choose  Seven  Per- 
sons to  represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachusetts  to 
be  held  in  the  State  House  in  Boston  on  the  last  Wednesday  of 
May  Current,  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  &  Frame  of  Govern- 
ment for  the  Massachusets  —  The  Inhabitants  were  directed  by 
the  Selectmen  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their  Votes  for  Repre- 
sentatives and  then  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen  That  no 
Votes  would  be  received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  And  that  they 
intend  that  the  Poll  shall  be  closed  at  half  past  12.  O'Clock  and 
the  Bell  to  be  tolled  A  little  before  that  time  — 

[413.]  The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  Seven  Representa- 
tives, The  Number  of  the  Same  were  found  to  be  707  —  And 
upon  Sorting  them  it  appeared  that  the  Seven  following  Gentle- 
men had  Obtained  A  majority  of  Votes Viz*. 

Votes 
William  Tudor  Esqr.       .-.----     697 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 536 

John  Winthrop  Esqr. 435 

William  Eustis  Esqr. 690 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  359 

Votes 

Joseph  Blake  Esqr. 553 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 539 

Perez  Morton  —  Esqr. 409 

Adjourned  to  3  O'Clock  P  :  M  :  — 

Met  According  to  Adjournment  at  3  O'Clock  P :  M : 

Declaration  was  made  by  the  Selectmen  to  the  Town  previous 
to  the  Adjournment  That  the  Seven  aforenamed  Gentlemen  were 
.  Chosen  representatives  by  A  Majority  of  Votes  — 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  it  was  moved  and 
Voted,  that  the  Town  will  Now  come  to  the  Choice  of  A  Moderator 
by  A  hand  Vote  in  order  to  Transact  the  other  business  mentioned 
in  the  Warrant  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  Chosen  Moderator  accordingly  — 

[414.]  The  Votes  having  been  brought  in  for  One  Fire  ward, 
it  appeared  on  Sorting  them.  That  Cap*.  Robert  Gardner  was 
chosen  as  A  Fireward  for  the  Year  Ensuing  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Audit  the  Accounts  of  the  Town 
Treasurer,  and  also  the  AccotB.  of  the  Selectmen  and  Overseers  of 
the  Poor,  And  to  Report  the  Sum  Necessary  to  be  raised  for  the 
Service  of  the  Present  Year,  have  attended  to  that  business  And 
ask  leave  to  report  — 

That  they  find  the  accounts  of  the  Treasurer  well  Vouched  and 
right  cast  and  a  balance  of  Eleven  Thousand,  Two  hundred  & 
Thirty  two  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  &  Two  Pence  in  favour  of 
The  Town  — 

The  Selectmens  drafts  from  March  1st.  1793 
To  March  the  1st.  1794  inclusively  amo*.  to     £8464  ,,  16  ,,  — % 
And  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  the  same  time  2900  ,,  18  ,,    3 


Making  in  the  whole—         .11365  ,,  14  ,,    3^ 

The  Particulars  of  all  which  are  Contained  in  the  papers  N°.  1   ,, 

2  ,,  3  ,,  herewith  annexed,   the    aggregate  of   the    Selectmens 
drafts  are  as  follows  —  Viz*. 

Watchmans  Wages  -     -     -     -  £604,,- 

Schoolmasters  &  Ushers    -     -  1960  ,,  - 

Assessors  pay 661  ,,  15  ,,  10 

New  School  &  other  Schools  -  373  ,,  19  ,,    9 

Collectors  Premium       -     -     -  779,,    8,,  11 

Lamps 706  ,, 


Carried  Over 


360 

[415.] 


City  Document. 


Sum  brought  over  -  - 
Printing,  &  Stationary 
Burying  Ground  -  -  - 
Expences  -  -  -  -  - 
Town  Repairs  -  -  - 
Repairs  of  High  ways  - 
Mill  Bridge  -  -  -  - 
Commonwealth  -  - 
Paving  and  Gravel  -  - 
Storage  of  Powder  -  - 
Small  Pox  .  .  .  _ 
Philadelphia  Fever  -  - 
Town  Clock  -  -  -  - 
Office  of  Police  -  -  - 
Constables  Service  -  - 
Bells  ringing  -  -  -  - 
Visiting  Schools  -  -  - 
Law  Expence  ... 
Deer  Island  -  -  -  - 
Rainsfords  Island  - 
Watchmans  Rent  -  - 
Town  Cryer  -  -  - 
Engines  and  Premiums 
Town  Treasurer  -  -  - 
Town  Clerk  -  -  -  - 
Messenger  to  Selectmen 


£  - 

95 

7 

51 

255 

236 

30 

37 

1155 

1 

39 

290 

22 

160 

36 

76 

49 

69 

18 

25 

4 

248 

200 

150 

55 


0   , 

,     2 

17  , 

,  — 

4  , 

,  — 

6  , 

,     7 

J 

,    

15  , 

,     3 

6  , 

,  10- 

8  , 

,  — 

0  , 

,     9 

16  , 

,  — 

5  , 

.     6 

9  ! 

',    7 

1  , 

,     2 

2  , 

,  — 

16  , 

,     3 

5  , 

,  io 

12  , 

,     6 

10  , 

,  — 

3  , 

,  — 

19  , 

,     8 

4  \ 

\     6 

The  balance  due  from  the  Several  Collectors  on  March  1?*, 

1794.  as  represented  on  Paper  N°.  1.  have  been  reduced  by 

Sums  paid  in  by  the  Several  [416.]  Collectors  from  that 

time  to  the  1st.  May  Ins*.  £2618  ,,  3  ,,  10 J  And  the  balances  as 

they  now  Stand  due  from  the  Collectors  on  the  2d.  May  1794, 

Is  as  follows     -     -     Viz*. 


From  James  Thompson  1793.  Tax     - 
Benjamin   Henderson    1793  d°. 

Thomas  Bayley 1793  d°. 

Benjamin  Jepson    -  -  1793  d°. 


£1842,,     4,,     If 
1756  ,,  19  ,,     3 
1829  ,,  15  ,,  10f 
1793  „     4  „     Of 

£7291  ,,    3  ,,    4 


The  Committee    from   the   best   information 
of 

with  which  Sum  the  Town  stands  charg'd 
has  been  settled  and  paid  by  former  Collec- 
tors. Savage,  Cudworth  and  Others,  by  way 
of  discount  though  not  properly  Cancelled  in 
the  books  they  being  chiefly  due  before  the 


Suppose 
£363  ,, 


the 
2  „ 


Sum 
3 


Boston  Town  Recokds,  1794.  361 

revolution,  however  that  may  be,  they  are 
cancelled  by  A  Late  Law  of  this  Common- 
wealth, and  in  their  opinion  should  be  ac- 
cordingly Settled  in  the  Town  Books, 

The  Committee 

also  find  That  a  Deduction  may  be  made  of —  £1400  ,,  12  ,,  — 
from  the  Estimate  of  the  current  year  for  a 
New  School,  repairing  Schools,  high  ways, 
Mill  bridge,  Law  Expences,  New  fish  Mar- 
ket, Smallpox,  Philadelphia  fever  as  Particu- 
larised in  Paper  N°.  1.  ■ 

making  in  the  Whole 1763  ,,     4  ,,     7 

[417.]  The  Committee  are  further  of  Opinion  That  the 
debts  due  from  Abraham  Savage  £366  ,,  —  ,,  9.  and  Several 
others  amounting  to  £54  ,,  19  ,,  10.  and  from  P.  Dudley  Sergeant 
£877  ,,  7  ,,  2  and  from  Benjamin  Cudworth  £46  ,,  14  ,,  5 

Amounting  to  in  the  whole £1345  ,,     1  ,,     5 

May  be  cancelled  in  the  Towns  Books.  — 

And  Should  the  Selectmen  drafts  be 

Same  as  Last  year £8464  ,,  16  ,,  — 

And  also  the  Overseers  drafts  —  ditto     -     -       2900  ,,     8  ,,     3 


11365  ,,    4  ,,    3 
A  Tax  of  Nine  Thousand  Pounds  -     -     -       9000  ,,  —  ,,  — 

Rent  Roll  Estimated  from  Preceeding  Years         686  ,,  

The  State  poor  —  ditto 1 500  , , 

and  the  Saving  as  aboue 400  ,,  


Amounting  in  the  whole to    11586  ,, 

will  be  sufficient  for  the  Present  year  and  will  make  Provision 

for  Paving  10.000  yds.  @  2/6    -     -     -     -       1250  ,, 

which  is  Equal  to  3000  feet  by  30  feet 

They  therefore  upon  the  Whole  recommend  the  Sum  of  Nine 
Thousand  Pounds  to  be  raised  for  the  Present  Year  — 

All  Which  is  Submitted  ^r.  Thomas  Dawes  ^r.  order 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read  &  Considered  the  Ques- 
tion was  Put  —  Viz*. — Whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted. 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative  — 

[418.]  Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  Nine  Thousand  Pounds  be 
raised  by  A  Tax  to  be  Assessed  on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  This  Town  to  defray  The  Expences  of  the  Current 
Year  — 

The  representation  of  Coll0.  Waters  Officer  of  the  Police  — 
was  read  —  Whereupon 


362  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  Honble.  John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr. 
Perez  Morton       -     -     -     Esqr. 
Honble.  Benjamin    Austin    Jr         Esqr. 
Samuel  Brown      ...     Esqr. 
Mr.  James  Tisclale  — 
Be  A  Committee  to  Consider  the  Same  and  report  at  the  Adjourn- 
ment — 

.    The  Petition  of  James  Thompson  a  Collector  of  Taxes  —  read 
—  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  the  said  Petition  be  reffer'd  to  the  aboue  Named 
Committee  to  report  thereon  — 

Voted,  That  it  be  referred  to  the  aboue  Committee  to  consider 
and  report  at  the  Adjournment  Proper  Salaries  for  the  Town 
Treasurer,  Assessors  and  the  Town  Clerk  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  relative  to  the  General  State  of 
Faneuil  Hall  Market  &c  &c  was  read  and  Considered  Where- 
upon — 

Voted,  That  no  fresh  fish  be  in  future  Exposed  for  sale  on 
Faneuil  Hall  Market  Square  Also  the  following  Order  Passed  — 
Viz*. 

[419.]  Be  it  ordained  that  the  Selectmen  on  the  representa- 
tion and  Complaint  of  the  Clerk  of  the  Market,  the  Officers  of 
Police  or  any  three  Inhabitants  shall  be  and  they  are  hereby  fully 
Authorized  and  Impowered,  to  remove  from  any  of  the  Stalls  and 
Stands,  of  the  Market  all  such  Persons,  as  shall  in  their  Opinion 
be  Guilty  of  Forestalling  or  any  other  Malepractices  which  may 
have  a  Tendency  to  enhance  the  Prices  of  the  Necessaries  of  Life 
and  to  Promote  the  Injury  and  oppression  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
The  Town  — 

Voted,  That  what  further  part  of  the  aforementioned  Article 
has  not  been  acted  upon  be  referred  over  to  A  Committee ;  That 
the  Selectmen  be  A  Committee  for  said  purpose  — 

The  Memorial  of  the  Schoolmasters  read,  and  on  Motion 
Voted,  They  have  Leave  to  withdraw  it 

The  Article  in  the  warrant  —  Viz*.  What  measures  shall  be 
taken  relative  to  the  Hay  Engine,  and  the  appointment  of  A 
Clerk  of  the  Faneuil  Hall  market  —  read,  whereupon 

Voted,  That  it  be  left  to  the  Selectmen,  to  Proceed  as  to  these 
matters  as  they  shall  Judge  to  be  meet,  for  the  Interest  of  the 
Town  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  363 

Adjourned  to  Friday  16th.  May  Ins1.  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

[420.]  At  A  legal  and  very  Numerous  Meeting  of  the  Free- 
holders and  other  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston  at  Faneuil 
Hall  the  12th.  day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1794.  9  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr.  was  Chosen,  Moderator  by  A 
hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  To  consider  the  propriety 
of  Continuing  the  Embargo  under  the  Present  Serious  aspect  of 
Public  Affairs  may  be  considered,  and  the  opinion  of  the  Town 
on  this  important  Subject  fully  expressed  thereupon  was  read  and 
Considered  —  Whereupon  — 

Resolved  As  the  Sense  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town.  That 
the  General  Embargo  Imposed  by  the  Legislature  of  the  United 
States  on  the  Navigation  and  Commerce  within  the  Same  is  A 
Measure  —  founded  in  the  highest  Policy  and  Wisdom.  Which 
Passed  by  A  Very  great  Majority 

Resolved  that  the  Inhabitants  of  Boston  will  cordially  acquiesce 
in  the  Continuance  of  the  Embargo  until  in  the  opinion  of  Con- 
gress the  Objects  Contemplated  by  that  measure  shall  be  fully 
Accomplished  ;  which  Passed  Unanimously. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 

[421.]     Friday  May  16th  Instant  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

The  Town  Met  according  to  the  Adjournment  of  March  Meet- 
ing —  On  Motion 

Voted,  That  the  Vote  Passed  on  the  7th.  day  of  May  Instant, 
Prohibiting  Fish  from  being  Exposed  to  Sale  on  Faneuil  Hall 
Market  Square  be  reconsidered,  also  — 

Voted,  That  whatever  remains  unacted  upon  the  Article  of  the 
Warrant  and  all  matters  relative  to  the  General  State  of  Faneuil 
Hall  Market  be  referred  over  to  the  Selectmen,  they  to  Act 
thereon  with  respect  to  regulations,  as  they  Judge  most  for  the 
interest  of  the  Inhabitants 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Consider  and  report  on  the  Several 
matters  within  Submitted  to  them  have  attended  that  Service  and 
Report  as  follows  —  Viz*. 


364  City  Document. 

That  the  respective  Salaries  of  the  Town  Treasurer,  Assessors 
and  Town  Clerk  be  the  Same  as  they  have  been  the  Year  Past, 
That  is  to  Say  for  the  Town  Treasurer  £200  —  for  Each  of  the 
Assessors  £130  —  and  for  the  Town  Clerk  £200  ,,  — 

That  There  be  Allowed  and  paid  to  James  Thompson  £12  ,,  — 
Lawful  Money  in  full  compensation  for  Extra  Services  Mentioned 
in  his  Petition  — 

[422.]  On  the  representation  of  Josiah  Waters  Esqr.  In- 
spector of  Police,  requesting  an  Equitable  compensation  for  his 
Services.  Your  Committee  on  Mature  Deliberation  have  thought 
it  expedient  to  recommend  to  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  to 
grant  him  an  Addition  of  Sixty  Pounds  for  the  Present  Year  to 
the  Salary  Allowed  him  the  Year  Past  —  Your  Committee  Appre- 
hends that  at  the  time  this  Officer  was  appointed  It  was  unknown 
to  the  Inhabitants,  that  the  Duties  of  his  Office  would  have 
occupied  so  great  A  Portion  of  his  time,  as  from  experience  they 
find  it  Necessarily  does,  they  suppose  it  was  from  this  Consider- 
ation that  his  Salary  was  originally  fixed  at  £120  ,,  — ,, — 
Your  Committee  are  Convinced  from  their  own  knowledge  and 
Constant  testimony  of  the  Inhabitants  in  general,  That  the  whole 
time  of  the  Inspector  of  Police,  Sundays  And  Nights  not  ex- 
cepted, is  Casually  employed  in  the  Discharge  of  his  duty,  And 
that  His  Services  are  of  great  Importance  to  the  peace,  Safety 
and  happiness  of  The  Town,  Such  Consideration  as  these  have 
induced  your  Committee  to  recommend  that  the  Salary  of  this 
Officer  for  the  ensuing  Year  be  fixed  at  the  Sum  of  One  Hundred 
and  Eighty  Pounds  —  all  of  which  is  Submitted 

^r.  John  Coffin  Jones  ^r.  order  — 

[423.]  The  aforegoing  Report  being  read  and  Amended, 
the  Question  was  put  —  Viz*,  whether  the  Same  shall  be  Accepted, 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative,  whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  two  hundred  Pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  to  Joseph  Russell  for  his  Services  as  Town  Treasurer  the 
Present  Year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  in  Quarterly  payments  as 
it  shall  become  due,  and  to  Commence  the  first  day  of  March 
Last  — 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  Two  hundred  Pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  William  Cooper  for  his  Services  as  Town  Clerk  the 
Present' Year,  the  Same  to  be  paid  him  quarterly,  as  it  shall  be- 
come due,  and  to  Commence  the  first  clay  of  March  Last.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Thirty  Pounds  be 
allowed  to  each  of  the  Assessors  for  their  respective  Services  for 
the  present  Year  the  same  to  be  paid  them  Quarterly,  as  it  shall 
become  due,  and  to  Commence  the  first  clay  of  Maixm  Last  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  365 

Voted,  That  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  and  Eighty  Pounds  be 
allowed  and  paid  unto  Josiah  Waters  Esq1',  for  his  Services  as 
Officer  of  the  Police  the  Present  Year,  the  Same  to  be  paid  him 
Quarterly,  as  it  shall  become  due  — 

[424.]  Voted,  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  To  James 
Thompson,  Twelve  Pounds  in  full  compensation  for  his  Extra 
Services  as  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  report  on  his  Petition  — 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  Unfinished  at  this  Meeting, 
be  referred  over  to  the  Next  General  Meeting  — 

Voted,  That  The  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  the  Honble 
Thomas  Crafts  for  his  good  Services  as  Moderator  of  this  meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  On  Friday  the  4th.  day  of 
July  Anno  Domini  1794.  9  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

William  Cooper  — 
was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

[425.]  The  Committee  appointed  the  Last  year  to  make 
Choice  of  A  Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  Anniversary 
of  Independence.  Reported 

That  they  had  made  Choice  of  John  Phillips  Esquire.  Who  has 
Accepted  —  On  Motion 

Voted,  That  the  oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old  Brick  Church 
12  O'Clock;   Liberty  therefor  being  Obtained  — 

Voted,  The  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  Acquaint  Mr.  [John 
Phillips]  with  this  Vote.  — 

Adjourned  to  the  Old  Brick  Church  to  Commemorate  the  Inde- 
pendence of  the  United  States. 


AN   ORATION 

was  delivered  by  John  Phillips  Esquire  at  the  Old  Brick  Church, 
On  Motion  — 

Voted,  That  the   Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A 


366  City  Document. 

Committee  to  Wait  on  John  Phillips,  Esquire,  and  in  the  Name 
of  the  Town  to  thank  him  for  the  Spirited  and  Elegant  Oration 
this  day  delivered  by  him,  at  the  request  of  The  Town,  upon  the 
Anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  Of 
America,  in  which,  according  to  the  institution  of  the  Town,  he 
Considered  the  feelings, manners  and  Principles,  which  led  to  that 
Great  National  Event,  and  to  Request  A  Copy  thereof  for  the 
Press  —  on  Motion 

[426.]  Voted,  That  The  Gentlemen,  the  Selectmen,  be  and 
hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  apply  to  Some  one  Learned 
and  able  Gentleman  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th.  July  Anno 
Domini  1795.  That  day  being  the  Anniversary  of  the  Independ- 
ence of  the  United  States  of  America ;  Wherein  the  Orator  is  to 
Consider  the  feelings,  Manners  and  Principles  which  led  to  this 
Great  National  Event,  As  well  as  the  Important  and  happy 
Effects  whether  General  or  Domestic  which  already,  and  will 
forever  flow  from  that  auspicious  Epoch  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


[427.]  At,  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Saturday  the 
2d.  day  of  August  A.  D.  1794.  11  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Chosen  Moderator  By  A  Hand  Vote  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  read,  as  also  the  Petition  for  call- 
ing A  meeting,  and  after  some  consideration  and  debate,  the 
Town  came  into  the  following  resolutions  —  Viz*.  — 

Whereas,  A  Number  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  Town  actuated 
by  A  desire  of  releiving  the  distresses  of  the  Unhappy  Sufferers 
by  the  Late  Fire,  met  the  1st.  Instant  and  Passed  A  Vote  to 
Request  the  Several  Clergy  to  deliver  A  Sermon  upon  that  Sub- 
ject on  the  Ensuing  Sabbath  And  to  recommend  to  their  Several 
Congregations  to  open  Subscriptions,  and  Committees  to  be  ap- 
pointed in  the  respective  Parishes  for  affording  relief  to  those 
who  have  met  with  Losses  from  this  melancholy  Event  — 

Voted  that  the  Proceedings  of  said  inhabitants  meet  with  the 
Cordial  approbation  of  this  Town  —  [438,]  And  that  it  be 
recommended  to  all  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  to  Aid  in 
furthering  the  Charitable  Views  adopted   at  the  said  meeting, 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  367 

And  that  it  be  Urged  upon  the  Committee  thereby  to  be  ap- 
pointed to  exert  themselves  to  excite  the  benevolence  and  Procure 
the  Assistance  of  Every  description  of  Persons,  and  to  Adopt 
such  Measures  as  shall  make  the  Charity  as  Extensive  and  Effect- 
ual as  possible,  And  the  money  so  collected  shall  be  appropriated 
in  such  A  manner,  as  may  Appear  most  eligible  to  the  Committee 
appointed  to  distribute  the  Same,  —  And  the  said  Committee  are 
further  directed  to  Report  at  the  Next  Town  Meeting,  The 
Amount  of  Money's  Collected  and  To  whom  distributed  — 
Also  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  and  hereby  are  appointed  to 
write  Circular  Letters  to  Invite  Our  Brethren  in  the  Neighboring 
Towns  To  Join  in  Alleviating  the  great  Losses  Sustained  by  our 
Fellow  Townsmen  in  the  late  Calamitous  Fire — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved 


[429.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  &  legally  Warned  in 
Public  Town  meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday  the 
12th.  day  of  August  Anno  Domini  1794.  At  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  : 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Honorable  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Was  chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  first  Article  in  the  Warrant  Viz*,  to  receive  the  Report  of 
the  Selectmen  relative  to  A  Street  laid  out  between  Atkinsons 
Street  &  Hutchinsons  Street  so  called,  and  whether  they  will 
approve  of  the  Same,  As  also  A  report  of  the  Selectmen  —  Viz*. 
In  Consequence  of  A  Great  desolation  made  by  Fire  in  This  Town 
on  the  30—  of  July  Last  at  and  Near  Atkinsons  Street  —  The 
Selectmen  Met  and  proceeded  to  the  Spot,  and  laid  out  A  New 
Street  for  the  better  accommodation  and  convenience  of  the  In- 
habitants which  is  bounded  as  follows  Viz*,  on  Atkinson  Street 
43  forty  Three  feet,  Then  running  Easterly  to  Hutchinsons  Street 
Twenty  five  feet,  Eight  Inches,  then  running  on  Said  Hutchinsons 
Street  forty  Three  feet  and  then  running  Westerly  to  sd.  Atkin- 
sons Street  [430.]  Two  hundred  and  fifty  one  feet  Eight  Inches 
as  is  now  Staked  out  —  were  read  and  Considered  —  Whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  the  Town  Accept  &  approve  of  the  doings  of  the 
Selectmen  in  the  laying  out  of  the  Said  Street,  — 

The  Second  Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  the 
Town  will  appropriate  the  marsh  at  the  bottom  of  the  Common 


368  City  Document. 

for  any  other  of  the  Towns  Lands  ,for  Rope  Walks  for  the  Ac- 
commodation of  the  Sufferers  by  the  late  Fire  was  —  read  and 
Considered  —  Whereupon  —  Voted,  That,  the 
Honorable  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Dorr 

Mr.  William  Brown 

Doctor  Dexter 

Deacon  Wright 
Hon5i£  James  Sullivan  —  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell 

Mr.  Joseph  Woodward 
Hon™5  George  Rd.  Minot  Esqr. 
Be  and  hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Confer  with  the 
Gentlemen  Owners  of  the  Ropewalks  Lately  Consumed  by  Fire, 
and  that  A  Survey  be  taken  of  the  Marsh,  at  the  Bottom  of  the 
Common,  and  also  Part  of  the  Land  on  Boston  Neck,  that  may 
be  Sufficient  for  Erecting  the  Like  Number  of  Rope  walks,  as 
[431.]  were  owned  and  Consumed,  and  report  at  the  Next  Town 
Meeting  —  which  the  Selectmen  are  Requested  to  call  after  the 
Committee  have  Completed  the  Business.  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Thursday  the  28th  day  of 
August,  Anno  Domini  1794.  at  10  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Honorable  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
Was  Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referred,  the  Busi- 
ness of  Appropriating  the  Marsh  at  the  Bottom  of  the  Common 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  Ropemakers  who  were  Sufferers  by 
the  Late  Fire  was  read  and  after  Debate  — 

[432.]  Voted,  That  the  Same  be  recommitted  and  that  the 
Committee  confer  with  the  said  sufferers  and  report  A  Specific 
quantity  of  Grounds  for  their  use,  and  Terms  upon  which  the 
Same  be  granted  — 

Resolve  of  the  General  Court  Passed  June  19th.  1794.  requir- 
ing the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  and  Districts  within  this  Com- 
mon Wealth  to  take  or  Cause  to  be  taken  an  accurate  Plan  of 
their  respective  Towns  and  Districts,  was  read  and  Considered  — 
Whereupon  —  Voted,  That  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen  be,  and 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  369 

hereby  are  appointed  A  Committee  to  Carry  Said  resolve  of  Court 
into  Execution.  — 

Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  the  Town  will  Lease 
A  Part  of  their  Land  on  the  West  side  of  the  Neck  for  the  pur- 
pose of  Erecting  A  Wind  Machine  for  the  Grinding  and  Bolting 
of  Grain  &c  —  read  —  Whereupon  it  was  moved  and 

Voted,  That  this  Article  be  left  with  the  Selectmen  to  Act 
thereon  as  they  may  Judge  best 

Article  in  the  Warrant  —  Viz*.  Whether  any  measures  shall 
be  taken  to  Prevent  future  damage  to  the  Town  by  the  Erection 
of  Wooden  Buildings  within  the  Same  was  read  &  after  debate  — 

Voted,  That  William  Tudor  —  Esqr. 
John  Codman   —  Esqr. 
Perez  Morton    -—  Esqr. 
[433.]     Be  A  Committee  to  consider  of  this  Article  and  to 
Report  thereon  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  Next  being  the  First  clay  of  September  — 

Monday  Sepr.  1"*  at  9.  O 'Clock  A  :  M  :  The  Town  Met  Accord- 
ing to  Adjournment  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  Confer  with  the  Gentlemen  Owners 
of  the  Ropewalks  Lately  Consumed  by  Fire,  and  to  take  A  Survey 
of  the  Marsh  at  the  Bottom  of  the  Common  &c  That  might  be 
Sufficient  for  Erecting  the  like  Number  of  Ropewalks  As  were 
owned  by  them  and  consumed  —  have  again  Considered  the  Sub- 
ject committed  to  them,  and  after  repeated  Conferences  with  the 
Parties  concerned,  report  the  following  Votes  to  be  Adopted  by 
the  Town  Viz*. 

Voted,  That  there  be  granted  to  the  Persons  hereinafter 
named,  being  Late  owners  of  Ropewalks  consumed  by  Fire.  A 
Peice  of  Marsh  Land  and  Flats  at  the  Bottom  of  the  Common  in 
Boston  —  Including  the  whole  or  such  part  of  Fox  hill  as  may 
fall  within  the  bounds  hereafter  Specified  to  be  held  by  them 
severally  in  such  parts  and  upon  such  Terms  and  Conditions  as 
are  herein  set  forth  [434.]  The  whole  of  said  peice  of  Land, 
being  bounded  and  Containing  as  follows  Viz*.  Beginning  at  the 
westerly  End  of  Ridge  hill  five  hundred  feet  from  Beacon  street 
and  running  directly  towards  Eliots  Street,  as  far  as  the  Towns 
Land  Extends  on  the  West  side  of  Pleasant  street,  So  far  as  to 
leave  A  Space  of  Fifty  feet,  between  this  Line,  and  the  End  of 
the  rail  fence  projecting  down  from  the  Burying  Ground  on  the 
South' side  of  Common,  Then  Extending  in  Width  Three  hun- 
dred feet  from  the  Point  at  which  the  aboue  Described  line  may 


370  City  Document. 

Strike  upon  Pleasant  Street,  being  bounded  Westerly  throughout 
by  A  line  run  Parallel  with  the  line  first  described  &  beginning 
At  the  Head  of  the  Towns  land  at  the  Southerly  part  of  the  marsh, 
and  running  in  A  northerly  direction  Until  it  shall  meet  with  A 
line  drawn  from  the  westerly  End  of  Ridge  hill  parallel  with 
Beacon  Street,  As  is  more  fully  described  On  A  Plan  taken  by 
Mr.  Osgood  Carlton,  August  the  Twenty  Ninth  1794.  And  that 
the  Said  Grantees  be  Authorized  and  impowered  to  Extend  the 
Limits  of  the  Land  hereby  granted  —  Fifty  feet  over  the  Flats,  they 
relinquishing  the  same  space  on  the  Easterly  Side  of  said  Land, 
or  to  alter  the  said  Limits,  so  as  to  Extend  across  the  said  Marsh 
in  A  Diagonal  direction  Provided  they  do  not  in  Either  case  come 
Nearer  than  fifty  feet  to  the  End  of  the  rail  [435.]  fence  Afore- 
said, Nor  run  Northerly  so  as  to  cross  the  Said  line  to  be  run 
parallel  with  Beacon  street. — Reserving  however  Sixty  feet  in 
Width  across  the  Southerly  End  of  said  Peice  of  Land  for  A 
Road  from  Pleasant  Street  down  to  the  Channel  — 

Voted,  That  the  first  fifty  feet  of  said  peice  of  Land  in  Width 
reckoning  from  the  Easterly  side  thereof  being  Lot  N°.  1.  On  the 
Plan  aboue  mentioned  —  be  and  hereby  is  granted  to  Isaac  Davis 
to  hold  to  him  his  Heirs  and  Assignes  forever  — 

That  the  Second  fifty  feet  thereof  in  Width,  being  Lot  N°.  2. 
On  said  Plan  be  and  hereby  is  Granted  to  Jeffry  Richardson  to 
hold  to  him  and  his  Heirs  and  Assignes  forever.  — 

That  the  Third  fifty  feet  thereof  in  Width,  being  Lot  N°.  3.  on 
said  Plan  be  and  hereby  is  Granted  to  Samuel  Emmons  to  hold 
to  him  and  his  Heirs  and  Assignes  for  Ever.  — 

That,  the  fourth  fifty  feet  thereof  in  Width  being  Lot  N°.  4.  in 
said  Plan  be  and  hereby  Is  Granted  to  William  Mc.Niel  &  Archi- 
bald Mc.Niel  to  hold  to  them,  their  Heirs  &  Assignes  forever.  — 

[436.]  That,  the  fifth  fifty  feet  thereof  in  Width  being  Lot 
N°.  5,  on  said  Plan,  be  and  hereby  is  Granted  to  John  Codman 
and  Richard  Codman  to  Hold  to  them,  their  Heirs  and  Assignes 
forever.  — 

That  the  Sixth  fifty  feet  thereof  in  Width  being  Lot  N°.  6.  on 
said  Plan  be  and  hereby  is  Granted  unto  Edward  Howe  to  hold 
to  him  and  to  his  Heirs  and  Assignes  forever,  Reserving  however 
a  right  in  the  Town  to  carry  Sluices  and  Drains  through  the  said 
Peice  of  Land  to  the  Salt  water  in  any  Direction,  forever.  — 
Provided  Nevertheless,  and  All  the  grants  aforesaid  are  upon  the 
following  Conditions,  Viz*.  First,  That  neither  of  the  said 
Grantees,  nor  their  Heirs,  nor  Assignes,  shall  at  any  time  here- 
after Erect  Or  Cause  to  be  Erected,  Any  Ropewalk  upon  the 
Lands  Where  these  Late  Ropewalks  were  Consumed  by  Fire  — 
Nor  any  Part  thereof  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  17.94.  371 

Second,  That  there  Never  be  any  other  buildings  than  Ropewalks 
Erected  on  the  Lands  hereby  Granted  Nor  More  than  Six  of 
them  — 

Third,  That  the  Heads  of  the  Ropewalks  to  be  Erected  thereon 
be  Placed  at  the  Southerly  End  of  the  said  granted  Lands,  — 
That  they  shall  not  be  more  than  One  Story  in  height,  Nor  the 
Eaves  more  than  Seven  feet  from  the  floor,  Excepting  forty  feet 
from  the  head  of  Each  Walk,  for  a  Store  wch.  may  be  two  Stories 
high.     They  to  be  built  with  brick  &  Covered  with  Slates  — 

[437.]  Fourth,  That  the  G-rantees  aforenamed  Erect  within 
the  Space  of  Two  Years  from  the  Present  time,  at  their  own 
Expence,  A  Sufficient  Sea  Wall  in  the  Opinion  of  the  Selectmen 
for  the  time  being,  the  whole  length  of  the  Said  Granted  Lands, 
On  the  Westerly  side  thereof  at  A  distance  not  Exceeding  Thirty 
feet  from  the  Same,  —  The  right  of  Property  in  which  Wall,  if 
Erected  without  the  bounds  of  the  Grant,  shall  be  in  the  Town. 

And  Nothing  in  the  foregoing  Grants  shall  be  considered  as 
conveying  to  the  said  Grantees,  or  either  of  them,  any  right  of 
Passage  in  any  direction  Across  the  Common,  to  or  from  the 
Granted  Lands.  — 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  in  the  Name  and  behalf  of  the  said 
Town  be  and  hereby  are  Authorized,  and  requested  to  Execute 
good  and  Sufficient  Deeds  to  Each  of  the  aforesaid  Grantees  of 
the  Lots.  Respectively  Granted  to  them  as  aforesaid,  upon  the 
Conditions,  and  with  the  restrictions,  and  reservations,  herein- 
before described,  and  that  they  insert  in  each  of  the  Deeds  so  to 
be  Executed,  A  Covenant  on  the  part  of  this  Town  that  they  will 
not  build  any  Ropewelk  on  the  Common,  nor  ever  hereafter 
Grant  any  part  thereof  for  the  purpose  of  building  such  Walk.  — 

[438.]  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  lay  out  A  Road  Sixty 
feet  wide  from  Pleasant  Street  along  the  Easterly  side  of  the 
Lands  hereby  granted,  over  the  marsh  toward  Beacon  Street  in 
order  to  meet  A  Road  that  may  be  opened  from  West  Boston 
Bridge,  all  which  is  Submitted.  — 

Thomas  Dawes  ^r.  order  — 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  largely  Debated  and  amended, 
The  Question  was  put  Whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted  and  it 
Passed  in  the  affirmative  — 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  Referred  the  Consideration  whether 
any  Measures  shall  be  taken  to  prevent  future  damages  to  the 
Town,  by  Erection  of  Wooden  buildings  within  the  Same  — 
Report  — 


372  City  Document. 

That  the  Existing  Laws,  Passed  at  different  Periods  Viz*. 
1692  ,,  1700  ,,  and  1760  ,,  are  Completly  Competent  to  the 
object  of  their  Commission,  but  Unfortunately  Never  having  been 
enforced,  excepting  those  parts  of  them  relative  to  Widening  the 
Public  Streets  and  opening  New  ones,  They  are  now  become 
Impracticable  if  not  absolute,      [obsolete?] 

Your  Committee  therefore  proposes  that  the  Representatives  of 
the  Town  of  Boston  be  instructed  [439.]  To  Obtain  from  the 
Legislature,  A  revision  of  the  Laws  Referred  to,  and  to  Procure 
A  New  one,  Containing  most  of  the  principles  of  the  former  Acts, 
—  in  which  may  be  included  all  the  Powers  Vested  in  the  Select- 
men as  to  Widening  the  Streets  and  Opening  New  ones,  and 
which  may  Enact  That  no  Public  buildings  of  any  kind  shall  be 
hereafter  erected  but  of  Brick  and  Stone  and  tiled  or  Slated,  and 
to  be  without  Wooden  Gutters  unless  the  same  shall  be  Cased 
with  Either  Tin  or  Iron  Plates.  — 

That  no  Dwelling  House,  or  other  Building  Exceeding  One 
Story  shall  be  built  with  Wood  —  That  no  Livery  Stable,  Rope- 
walk  or  buildings  for  any  Manufactory  shall  be  Erected  at  any 
time,  in  any  Part  of  the  Town,  but  in  such  Places  as  the  select- 
men shall  approve,  and  be  Constructed  of  such  materials  As  they 
shall  Adjudge  to  be  most  for  the  Public  Security,  and  least  Sub- 
ject to  Conflagration  —  all  which  is  Submitted  — 

Willm.  Tudor  ^r.  order  — 

And  that  A  Clause  be  inserted  to  Subject  the  Town  at  large,  to 
A  heavy  Penalty  for  every  building  Suffered  to  be  Erected  Con- 
trary to  the  Law  — 

[440.]  The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read  and  debated, 
The  same  was  referred  to  the  Next  Town  Meeting,  for  further 
consideration,  and  that  previous  to  said  meeting  The  Report  be 
Published  for  the  information  of  the  Inhabitants  — 

Voted,  that  all  matters  unfinished  be  referred  over  to  the  Next 
General  Town  Meeting. 

Votec,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given 
To  the  Honorable  Thorn8.  Crafts  Esqr.  for  his  good  Services  as 
Moderator  of  this  Meeting  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  Duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  Public  Town 
Meeting  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Friday  the  Tenth  day  of 
October  Anno  Domini  1794  at  10.  O'Clock  A  :  M  :  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  373 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

[441,]  -Honorable  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Chosen  Moderator  by  A  hand  Vote  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  A  Fire  Ward  in  the  room  of 
Thomas  Tileston  cleceasd.  it  appeared  That  Major  Andrew  Cun- 
ningham was  chosen  A  Fire  Ward.  Unanimously  — 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  to  consider  and  Adopt  the  most 
Equal  and  commodious  mode  of  raising  the  Town's  Proportion 
of  the  80,000  Men  ordered  to  be  detached  from  the  Militia  of 
the  United  States  by  Congress  at  their  Last  Session  was  read, 
whereupon 

Voted,  unanimously  That  the  Officers  Commanding  Companies 
in  the  Boston  regiment  and  other  Corps,  be  and  hereby  are 
Authorized  to  Offer  to  Every  Soldier  who  shall  Voluntarily  enroll 
himself  in  the  Detachment  ordered  to  be  raised  out  of  this  Town 
as  their  Proportion  of  80,000  men  ordered  to  be  detached  from 
the  Militia  of  the  United  States,  by  Congress  at  their  Last  Ses- 
sion, the  Sum  of  Five  Dollars  as  A  Bounty  to  be  paid  him  at  the 
time  of  his  Enlistment  and  the  Town  Treasurer  is  hereby  Author- 
ized for  to  borrow  for  the  Town  a  sum  Sufficient  to  pay  the  said 
Bounty  and  is  directed  to  pay  the  aforesaid  sum  of  Five  Dollars 
to  Each  man  Enrolled  upon  [442.]  the  Certificate  of  the  Officer 
to  whose  Company  he  belongs,  and  when  the  said  Detachment 
shall  be  Called  into  actual  Service,  Each  man  shall  be  allowed  a 
Sum  in  Addition  to  the  pay  Allowed  by  Congress,  to  make  his 
monthly  wages  Equal  to  Ten  Dollars  ^pr.  Month.  — 

Article  relative  to  further  Grants  to  School  masters  —  read  — 
whereupon  — 

Voted,  That  this  Article  be  referred  Over  to  the  School  Com- 
mittee, with  A  request  that  they  would  take  the  Same  into  their 
Consideration  and  act  thereon  as  they  Judge  reasonable  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  A  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  Other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  Qualified  to  vote  for  Representatives  to  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  this  Commonwealth,  and  legally  Warned  in  Public 
Town  Meeting,  Assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  the  first  monday  of 
November  Anno  Domini  1794.  being  the  3d.  day  of  said  month 
10.  O'Clock  A:  M: 

[443.]     Prayer  was  made  by  the  Reverend  Mr.  Eliot  — 


374  City  Document. 

Warrant  for  Calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

Resolve  of  the  General  Court  for  the  choice  of  Representatives 
for  the  Next  Congress  of  the  United  States  —  Read  — 

It  was  then  Declared,  by  the  Selectmen  that  The  Poll  would 
be  Closed  at  half  past  one  O' Clock  &  the  Bells  to  begin  tolling  at 
One  O'Clock 

Persons  Voted  for  As  A  Representative  for  the  first  middle 
district  of  this  Commonwealth  in  the  Next  Congress  of  the  United 
States  — 

Votes 

Honble.  Fisher  Ames  Esqr.  1627 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr.         1182 

Honble.  John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.  2 
Samuel  Jarvis  Esq1'.  1 


2812  — 

An  Attested  Copy  of  the  Persons  Voted  for.  as  aboue  were  Com- 
mitted to  the  Chairman  of  the  Selectmen,  Ezekiel  Price  Esqr.  To 
be  by  him  delivered  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,  and 
the  Inclosure  sealed  up  in  Town  Meeting,  Superscribed  as  fol- 
lows —  Viz*  — 

For  John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusets 

[444.]  List  of  Votes,  for  A  Representative  for  the  first 
middle  district  of  this  Common  Wealth  to  the  Next  Congress  of 
the  United  States  from  the  Town  of  Boston  — 

Jury  Return  On  the  Warrant  for  the  Estimating  the  Damage 
&c  &c  on  Widening  the  Streets  in  Atkinson  &  Purchase  Street  & 
Cow  Lane 

Suffolk  ss  :     To  Edward  Procter,  Nathaniel  Hall,  William  Brown, 
Thomas  Bayley,  Edwd.  Tyler,  John  Tyleston,  John 
(seal)  Deming,  Nath1.  Shepard,  Moses  May,  Thomas  Fleet, 

John  Winslow  and  Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr.  —  Greet- 
ing : 


(SEAL) 


Whereas,  in  and  by  an  Act  made  and  Passed  by  the  Great  and 
General  Court  or  Assembly  of  the  Late  Province  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts bay,  begun  And  held  At  Boston  the  Eighth  day  of  June, 
One  Thousand  Six  hundred  and  Ninety  two  And  Continued  by 
Adjournment  unto  the  Twelfth  day  of  October  following  ; 

It  was  Enacted,  that  it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  the  Justices  of 
the  Peace  in  the  Town  of  Boston,  together  with  the  Selectmen  (or 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  375 

Major  Part  of  Each  Assenting  thereto)  That  in  all  Void  and  un- 
built Places,  which  shall  hereafter  be  improved  [445.]  for  build- 
ing, or  when  at  any  time  any  total  Consumption  or  desolation 
shall  happen  in  any  Streets  or  Lanes  within  the  said  Town,  To 
State  and  lay  out  such  Streets,  Ways  and  Passages,  as  may  be 
most  for  the  Conveniency  and  accommodation  of  the  Place  — 

As  Also  where  any  desolation  has  happened  to  regulate  and 
enlarge  other  Narrow  and  Crooked  Lanes  or  Passages,  And 
Where  any  Particular  Person  shall  have  their  Lands  taken  away. 
Or  Lessened  thereby  ;  A  Jury  of  Twelve  Men  shall  be  Appointed 
by  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  Sworn  to  Ascertain  the  Value 
thereof  to  be  paid  by  the  Person  to  whose  Lands  the  Same  shall 
be  Added,  or  by  the  Neighbourhood  or  the  Town  in  Proportion  to 
the  benefit  or  conveniency  They  shall  have  thereby ; 

And  whereas  Desolation  has  lately  happened  in  some  of  the 
Streets  and  Lanes  within  the  said  Town,  hereinafter  more  Partic- 
ularly mentioned,  And  Described,  And  whereas  A  Major  Part 
of  the  Justices,  and  A  Major  Part  of  the  Selectmen  in  the  Town 
of  Boston  aforesaid,  in  Pursuance  of  the  aforesaid  Act  have 
Widened,  regulated  and  Enlarged  the  following  Part  or  Parts  of 
Streets  and  Lanes  —  Viz*.  Beginning  at  the  East  side  of  Cow 
Lane  opposite  to  Mess^  Mc.  Niel  and  Sons  Rope  Walk  (Now 
burned)  And  Belonging  to  Jeffrey  [446.]  Richardson,  there 
measuring  forty  one  feet  Six  Inches,  long,  and  four  feet  Eight 
Inches  wide  at  one  End,  and  three  feet  at  the  other  — 

Another  piece  belonging  to  said  Richardson  on  the  East  side  of 
Cow  Lane  and  South  of  Atkinsons  Street,  Sixty  two  feet  long  and 
four  feet  Eight  Inches  wide  at  one  End  &  Three  feet  wide  at  the 
other  End  — 

Another  piece  belonging  to  said  Richardson,  South  and  Butting  on 
Atkinsons  Street  leading  to  Thorn8.  Russells  Wharf  Forty  Seven 
feet  Seven  Inches,  long,  Seven  feet  Two  Inches  wide  at  one  End 
and  Eight  feet  Two  Inches  at  The  other  End  — 

Another  piece  Belonging  to  Thomas  Davis  on  the  East  side  of 
Cow  Lane  and  North  of  Atkinsons  Street,  on  A  Triangular  form 
of  Eleven  feet  long,  and  Three  feet  Six  Inches  wide  and  running 
to  A  point.  — 

Another  Piece  Belonging  to  said  Davis  of  fifteen  feet  Long  and 
running  to  A  Point,  Also  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Davis  on  the  West  side  of  Pur- 
chase Street  &  North  of  Atkinson's  Street,  forty  Nine  feet  three 
Inches  long  and  five  feet  Nine  Inches  Wide  at  the  one  End  and 
Six  feet  at  the  other.  — 


376  City  Document. 

Lands  Belonging  to  the  heirs  of  the  Late  John  Gray  beginning  on 
the  East  of  Cow  lane,  A  Corner  and  North  of  Atkinsons  Street 
Seventy  feet  six  Inches  long,  and  Three  feet  wide  at  one  End  & 
nine  feet  at  the  other  — 

[447.]  Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Gray  on  Atkinsons 
Street  and  leading  to  Thomas  Russells  Wharf,  One  hundred  & 
five  feet  long  and  four  feet  four  Inches  wide  at  one  End,  and 
Three  feet  Eight  Inches  at  the  other  End  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Gray  at  the  East  side  of,  And 
on  Cow  lane  South  of  Atkinsons  Street,  One  hundred  &  Eleven 
feet  long,  And  five  feet  four  Inches  wide  at  one  End,  And  One 
foot  Nine  Inches  at  the  other  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  Said  Gray,  South  of  Atkinsons  Street, 
and  West  on  Purchase  Street,  One  hundred  and  Six  feet  Eight 
Inches  long,  and  [blank]  feet  Eight  Inches  Wide  at  one  End  And 
five  feet  five  Inches  at  the  other  — 

Another  piece  belonging  to  Thomas  Brewer,  North  of  Atkinsons 
Street  and  West  of  Purchase  Street,  Ninety  one  feet  long  and 
Three  feet  Eight  Inches  wide  at  one  End,  and  One  foot  Six 
Inches  at  the  other,  leading  to  Russells  Store. 

Also  Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Brewer,  North  of  Atkinsons 
Street  and  butted  West  on  Purchase  Street,  Seventy  Three  feet 
Six  Inches  long  and  four  feet  four  Inches  wide  at  One  End,  and 
Three  feet  Two  Inches  at  the  other  — 

[448.]  Another  piece  Belonging  to  Coll —  Dawes  and  Occu- 
pied by  Judge  Dawes,  on  the  East  Side  of  &  On  Cow  Lane,  and 
South  of  Atkinsons  Street,  A  Triangular  piece,  Forty  feet  Eight 
Inches  long,  and  Nine  Inches  wide  to  A  point.  — 

Another  piece  West,  and  on  Cow  Lane,  and  South  of  Atkinson 
Street,  owned  by  Cap*.  William  Cowell,  Ninety  one  feet  Two 
Inches  long  and  Three  feet  wide  at  one  End,  and  five  feet  at  the 
other. — 

Another  Peice  West  and  on  Cow  Lane  South  of  Atkinsons  Street, 
Owned  by  the  Widow  Low,  forty  four  feet  Seven  Inches  long  and 
five  fee*,  wide  at  one  End,  and  five  feet  Six  Inches  at  the  other  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  George  Blanchard,  West  on  Cow 
Lane,  and  South  on  Atkinsons  Street,  Seventy  two  feet  long,  and 
five  feet  Six  Inches  wide  at  one  End,  and  Six  feet  Six  Inches  at 
the  other  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  Coll —  Dawes,  West  and  on  Cow  lane, 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794.  377 

South  of  Atkinsons  Street  Eighty  four  feet ;  Six  feet  Six  Inches 
wide  at  one  End,  and  running  to  A  Point  of  Six  Inches  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  M^8-  Lois  Clouston,  South  of  Atkinsons 
Street  and  between  Cow  lane  &  Purchase  Street,  Forty  five  feet 
Two  Inches  long,  and  Eight  feet  Two  Inches  wide  at  one  End, 
and  Eight  feet  Six  Inches  at  the  other.  — 

[449.]  Another  Piece  belonging  to  Sam1.  P.  Savage,  South  of 
Atkinsons  Street,  and  between  Cow  Lane  and  Purchase  Street, 
Ninety  Eight  feet  Three  Inches  Long,  and  Eight  feet  Six  Inches 
Wide  at  one  End,  and  Ten  feet  wide  at  ye.  other 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Savage,  West  on  Purchase  Street 
(from  the  Corner)  Sixty  four  feet  Seven  Inches  long,  and  five  feet 
four  Inch8.  Wide  at  one  End,  &  five  feet  Eight  Inches  at  the 
Other  End.  — 

Also  Another  Piece  belonging  to  said  Savage,  South  of  Atkinsons 
Street,  and  on  the  East  side  of  Purchase  Street,  Eighty  one  feet 
Six  Inches  long,  and  Seven  feet  Nine  Inches  wide  at  one  End, 
and  the  Same  at  the  other 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  Coll —  Thomas  Dawes,  South  of 
Atkinsons  Street,  and  on  the  East  side  of  Purchase  Street,  forty 
feet  long  and  Seven  feet  wide  at  one  End,  and  five  feet  four 
Inches  at  the  other  — 

Another  Piece  belonging  to  Samuel  Bangs  East  side  of,  and  on 
Purchase  Street,  fifty  Eight  feet  long,  and  five  feet  Six  Inches 
wide  at  one  End,  &  Six  feet  four  Inches  at  the  other.  — 

Another  Piece  Vacant  Land.  East  on  Purchase  street,  and  North 
of  Atkinson  Street,  Seventy  feet  four  Inches  long,  Six  feet  four 
Inches  wide  at  one  End,  &  Seven  feet  Six  Inches  at  the  other.  — 

[450.]  Another  Piece  belonging  to  Samuel  Dillaway,  South  of 
Atkinsons  Street  and  on  the  East  side  of  Purchase  Street,  Ninety 
five  feet,  Eight  Inches  long,  And  Seven  feet  Nine  Inches  wide  at 
one  End,  &  Seven  feet  at  the  other. 

Another  piece  belonging  to  James  Tate,  North  of  Atkinsons  Street 
and  West  on  Purchase  Street  fifty  feet  long,  and  four  feet  four 
Inches  wide  at  one  End  and  five  feet  six  Inches  at  the  other. 

Another  piece  on  the  High  [way]  North  of  Atkinsons  Street,  And 
West  on  Purchase  Street,  sixteen  feet  Eight  Inches,  and  five  feet 
six  Inches  wide  at  one  End,  and  five  feet  Nine  Inches  wide  at  the 
Other  End  — 


378  City  Document. 

Wherefore  in  pursuance  of  the  Power  given  and  Granted  to  us 
the  Subscribers,  being  two  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  said 
Town ;  —  Do  hereby  appoint  you  the  said  Edward  Procter, 
Nathaniel  Hall,  William  Brown,  Thomas  Bayley,  Edward  Tyler, 
John  Tileston,  John  Deming,  Nathaniel  Sheparcl,  Moses  May, 
Thomas  Fleet,  John  Winslow  and  Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr.  A 
Jury  (after  You  have  Sworn)  to  go  and  view  the  Lands  &  Prem- 
ises Aforesaid  belonging  to  the  Several  Persons  aforenamed 
(who  will  be  Notified  to  Attend  if  they  see  cause)  that  are  taken 
away  from  them  and  added  to  the  streets  and  Lanes  aforesaid  or 
either  of  them,  and  You  are  to  ascertain  [451.]  The  damages 
that  any  Person  or  Persons  have  Sustained  by  having  their 
Lands  and  Premises  taken  away  and  Added  to  the  Streets  and 
Lanes  aforesaid  — 

You  are  Likewise  to  determine  by  whom  such  damages  and 
the  Costs  and  Charges  Attending  such  business  shall  be  paid  — 
And  if  it  shall  appear  to  you  that  the  Estate  of  any  Person  or 
Persons  are  in  Any  wise  benefited,  or  the  Neighborhood  or  the 
Town,  by  the  laying  out  or  widening  of  any  of  the  said  Street's  or 
Lanes,  You  are  to  Assess  Each  of  said  Persons  in  the  Neighbor- 
hood, or  the  Town,  such  A  Proportion  of  the  said  Damages,  and 
Costs  as  to  you  shall  appear  Just  and  Equitable  — 

And  as  soon  as  you  have  Completed  the  Same,  You  are  to 
make  return  hereof  with  your  doings  therein  under  your  hands 
to  us,  or  to  one  of  us  that  the  Same  may  be  Entered  with  the 
Records  of  Said  Town  — 

Witness  our  hands  &  Seals  this  Seventeenth  day  of  December 

in  the  Year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Ninety 

four  — 

Thomas  Crafts    )  T     ,.  ,  ,,     -r, 

_,    , ,   -r,  .  >  Justices  of  the  Peace 

Ezek1.  Price         J 

[452.]  We,  the  Subscribers  being  A  Jury  appointed  in,  and 
by  the  Warrant  hereunto  Annexed  for  the  Purposes  therein 
Mentioned  being  duly  Sworn,  Went  to  and  upon  the  Lands  and 
Premises  taken  away  from  the  abutters  and  Added  to  the  Several 
Streets,  Namely  Purchase  Street,  Atkinsons  Street,  and  Cow  lane 
Staked  and  laid  out,  by  the  Justices  of  the  Peace,  and  the  Select- 
men of  the  Town  of  Boston,  as  Particularly  mentioned  in  said 
Warrant,  And  having  Notified  the  Proprietors  of  said  Land,  and 
fully  heard  them,  and  Carefully  viewed  the  Same.  — 

Find  that  the  Land  and  Premises  taken  from  the  Several  Per- 
sons and  Added  to  the  Streets  Aforesaid,  are  Conformable  to  the 
Admeasurements  in  the  Warrant,  And  the  Plan  laid  before  us. — 

Have  Assessed  the  Town  of  Boston  As  by  the  following 
Schedule  —  Viz*. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1794. 


379 


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Boston"  Town  Records,  1794. 


381 


[454.]  And  we  do  report  our  Determination  thereupon,  that 
there  be  paid  by  the  Town  of  Boston  to  the  following  persons, 
their  Heirs  and  Assignes  for  damages  sustain'd  in  or  before  the 
first  of  June  next.     Viz*. 


Jeffry  Richardson 
Thomas  Davis 
John  Gray's  estate 
Thomas  Brewer 
Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
William  Cowell 
Widow  Low 
George  Bl  an  chard 
Mrs.  Clouston 
Samuel  P.  Savage 
Samuel  Bangs 
Samuel  Dillaway 
James  Tate 


Twenty  five  pounds 

Six  pounds  Nine  shillings 

Thirty  two  Pounds  two  shillings 

Ten  pounds  ten  shillings 

Nine  pounds 

Six  pounds  twelve  shillings 

Four  pounds  ten  shillings 

Eight  pounds 

Fifteen  pounds 

Twelve  pounds 

Sixty  pounds 

Seven  pounds  ten  shillings 

Fifteen  pounds 


And  That  there  be  allowed  and  paid  to  the  Sheriff  for  his  Ser- 
vices Thirty  shillings,  to  each  of  the  two  Justices  who  issued  the 
warrant  thirty  shillings,  and  to  each  Jury-man  the  sum  of  forty 
eight  shillings,  amounting  in  the  whole  to  the  sum  of  Thirty  three 
pounds  six  shillings  for  their  Time,  Trouble  &  Expences  in  the 
Business  assigned  them  as  aforesaid. 

Edward  Proctor 
Given  under  our  Hands  Nathaniel  Hall 


Boston  December  23d. 
1794. 


To  the  Gentlemen 
Selectmen  of  Boston. 
The  before  written  war- 
rant with  the  doings 
thereon,  being  return'd 
to  us  the  Subscribers, 
We  do  transmit  the  same 
to  you  in  order  that 
they  may  be  Entered 
in  the  records  of  said 
Town. 

Boston  Thomas  Crafts 

Decr.  24th  ;        Ezekiel  Price 

1794. 


William  Brown 
Thomas  Bayley 
Edward  Tyler 
John  Tileston 
John  Deming 
Nathaniel  Shepard 
Moses  May 
Thomas  Fleet 
John  Winslow 
Samuel  Ruggles 


03 

a; 

ft 

-a 


[455.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders,  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Monday  the  2d. 
day  of  February  10  °CloCk  A  :  M  :  being  duly  qualified  and  legally 
warned  in  public  town  meeting  assembled 


382  City  Document. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  Read.  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote.  — 

The  article  relative  to  wooden  Buildings,  and  the  report  of  the 
Committee  relative  thereto  —  read,  whereupon  the  same  was  taken 
up  by  Paragraphs,  and  after  debate  it  was  moved,  and  Voted  that 

Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 

John  Lowell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Nye 

John  Winslow  Esqr. 

Joseph  Blake  Junr.  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  that  Paragraph  in  the  Report  of  the 
Committee  relative  to  Public  Buildings  and  to  report  what  was 
intended,  by  Buildings  for  carrying  on  manufactures 

The  Petition  of  Luther  Eames  and  others  relative  to  the  intro- 
duction of  fresh  water  into  Boston  was  laid  before  the  town  in 
compliance  with  an  order  of  the  General  Court :  was  read,  — 
whereupon, 

Voted.  That  the  Town  approve  of  the  plan  proposed  in  the 
Petition  of  Luther  Eames  and  others,  for  the  bringing  fresh 
Water  by  subterranean  Pipes  into  the  Town  of  Boston,  and  have 
no  objection  to  their  being  incorporated  for  that  purpose,  pro- 
vided that  in  the  Act  of  incorporation  they  are  held  to  put  the 
streets,  which  shall  be  opened  for  that  purpose  in  as  good  repair 
as  they  were  before,  and  that  such  other  Guards  and  restrictions 
shall  be  made,  as  will  secure  the  Town  from  injury  by  undertaking 
the  Business. 

Adjourned  to  3  °Clock  P.M.— 

Three  °Clock  P.  M.  Met  according  to  agreement. 

The  Committee  chosen  in  the  Forenoon  reported,  and  after 
debate  the  Question  was  put  viz*,  whether  the  same  shall  be 
accepted  —  Passed  in  the  negative. — 

[456.]  It  was  then  moved  and  Voted  —  that  any  further 
consideration  on  the  report  relative  to  wooden  Buildings  subside, 
and  the  report  was  not  accepted.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
Dissolved  — 


At  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town    of   Boston    duly  qualified    and  legally  warned    in   public 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  383 

Town  meeting  assembled   at   Faneuil   Hall   on   Wednesday  the 
11th.  day  of  Feb*.  1795.  10  oClock  A.  M. 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting — read 

Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote. 

The  Article  in  the  warrant,  viz'.  — to  take  the  sense  of  the 
Town  on  the  propriety  of  adopting  any  further  measures  for  the 
accomodation  of  the  General  Court  with  a  piece  of  Land,  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  a  new  Court  house  —  read  —  as  also  the 
request  for  calling  this  meeting  and  after  debate  had  thereon, 

Voted,  almost  unanimously  that 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

William  Eustis  Esqr. 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

John  C.  Jones  Esqr. 

Mr.  Treasurer  Russell 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Harrison  G.  Otis  Esqr. 

William  Little  Esq1'. 
be  a  Committee  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  for  the  Common- 
wealth a  piece  of  land  proper  for  building  a  State  house,  and  that 
they  be  authorized  to  make  any  contract  for  the  purchase  of  it, 
for  that  purpose  or  to  convey  any  piece  of  the  Lands  owned  by 
the  Town  within  the  same,  to  the  Commonwealth,  which  they 
[45  T.]  may  deem  expedient  for  the  interest  of  the  Town,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  a  State  house,  —  not  alienating  any  part  of 
the  Common,  unless  the  accomodation  cannot  be  had  on  any 
other  terms.  — 

The  Town  Clerk  was  prevented  by  the  Moderator  from  putting 
the  Question  for  a  Vote  of  thanks,  for  his  good  services.  —  so  the 
meeting  was  dissolved.  — 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  public 
town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  ninth 
day  of  March  Anno  Domini  1795.     10  OClock  Forenoon. 

Prayer  was  made  by  the  Revd.  Dr.  Eckley. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  meeting,  were  accordingly  read. — 

The  Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote. 


384  City  Document. 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in 
their  Votes,  for  a  Town  Clerk,  and  the  same  being  brought  in  and 
counted,  it  appeared  that 

William  Cooper  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  an  Oath  of 
Office  was  administered  to  him  by  Mr.  Justice  Crafts. 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw  and  bring  in  their 
Votes,  for  nine  Selectmen  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared,  that 
the  following  Gentlemen,  viz. — 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Thomas  W  alley  Esqr. 

Deacon  Wm.  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenr.  Seaver 
[458.]  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Thomas  Edwards" Esqr. 

Mr.  William  Little 

Mr.  Charles  Bulfinch  (resigned) 

William  Scollay  Esq1, 
were  chosen  Selectmen  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Mr.  Joseph  Russell 
was  chosen  Town  Treasuier  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  the  Oath 
of  Office  administered  to  him  by  the  Town  Clerk,  the  choice  was 
unanimous. 

Voted  That  the  Town  Treasurer  give  bond  with  sureties  to  the 
Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen,  in  the  penalty  of  ten  thousand 
pounds,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  Office.  — 

The  Inhabitants  having  voted  as  directed  for  12  Overseers  of 
the  Poor  on  counting  and  sorting  the  same  it  appeared  that 

Jona.  Mason  Esqr.  (resigned) 

John  White  Esqr.  (ditto) 

Edward  Proctor  Esqr. 

John  Sweetser  Esq1. 

Sam1.  Parkman  Esqr.  (resigned) 

Jona.  L.  Austin  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edwd.  Edes 

Henry  Hill  Esqr. 

John  Codman  Esqr 

Mr.  Willm.  Smith 

Wm.  Phillips  Junr.  Esqr. 

Stephen  Gorham  Esqr. 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  Year  ensuing-.  — 

Votes  for  a  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  brought  in  and 
counted  by  the  Moderator  and  the  Town  Clerk,  when  it  appeared, 
that  the  whole  number  was  two  hundred  eighty  three,  of  which 
two  hundred  and  fifty  one  were  for  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  twenty 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  385 

eight  for  Mr.  Sam1.  Clap  and  four  for  Mr.  Joseph  Russell,  all 
discreet  suitable  persons,  being  freeholders,  and  residents  [459.] 
in  said  County. 

Mem0.  An  attested  Copy  hereof  was  given  to  Ezekiel  Price 
Esqr.  Clerk  of  the  Sessions  by  Col —  Crafts.  — 

The  Inhabitants  having  as  directed  bro't  in  their  votes  for 
sixteen  fire  wards,  and  the  same  being  sorted  and  counted  it 
appeared  that 

John  Winthrop  Esq1. 

Thomas  Melvill  Esqr. 

Jabez  Hatch  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Samuel  Parkman  Esqr. 

Amasa  Davis  Esqr. 

Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 

Henry  Jackson  Esqr. 

Cap*.  MuDgo  Mackay 

William  Scollay  Esqr. 

William  Little  Esqr. 

Mr.  James  Tisdale 

Joseph  May  Esq1. 

Capt.  Robert  Gardner 

Major  Andrew  Cunningham 
were  chose  Fire  wards  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Voted,  That  the  assessors  be,  and  hereby  are  directed  to  set 
for  such  abatements  of  taxes  as  they  shall  judge  reasonable,  two 
days  in  each  week  after  the  delivery  of  the  tax  books,  to  the  Col- 
lectors for  the  space  of  six  weeks  and  no  longer,  saving  that  they 
be  allowed  to  set,  the  last  Week  in  February,  Lords  days  ex- 
cepted, for  the  abatement  of  the  taxes  of  such  persons  as  had 
not  the  opportunity  of  applying  in  the  above  limited  time,  by 
reason  of  their  being  out  of  the  Commonwealth,  or  any  other 
unavoidable  hindrance,  and  that  the  assessors  determine  on  the 
said  two  days,  which  is  to  be  noted  on  the  tax  bills  to  be  delivered 
the  Inhabitants. — 

The  Votes  having  been  brought  in  as  directed  for  five  Asses- 
sors, it  appeared  that  the  following  Gentlemen  were  chosen 
Assessors  for  the  year  ensuing,  viz.  — 

[460.]  Giles  Harris  Esqr.  (sworn) 

Samuel  Ruggles  Esq1.        d°. 
John  R.  Sigourney  d°. 
Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard         d°. 
Mr.  Thomas  Hichborn       d°. 

Jonathan  Mason  Esqr.  having  declined  serving  as  an  Overseer 


386  City  Document. 

Voted  that  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  are  given  to 
Jona.  Mason  Esqr.  for  his  good  and  faithful  services  as  an  Over- 
seer of  the  Poor  for  thirty  years  past. 

John  White  Esq1.,  another  of  the  Overseers  having  resigned, 
he  also  received  the  thanks  of  the  town  for  the  like  services  a 
great  number  of  years  past.  — 

Messrs.  Shubael  Hewes 
Benja.  Hornans 

John  Butterfield  (declines) 

James  Perkins  (d0-) 

John  Bosson 
Henry  Cumpston 
Sam1.  White 
Enoch  May 
David  Lewis 
Thomas  Stevenson 
Robert  Smallpiece 
Andrew  Townsend 
were  chosen  Constables  for  the  year  ensuing. — 

Mess1'8.  Eliakim  Morse 
Seth  Wells 
John  Doubleday 
Joseph  Callender 
Edwd.  Davis  Junr. 
Minot  Thayer 
Wm.  P.  Blake 
Joseph  Carnes 
John  W.  Blanchard 
John  Gardner 
Ebenr.  Larkin 
Wm.  Furness 
were  chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

Adjourned  to  3  °Clock  P.  M. 

[461.]     3  O.Clock  P.  M.  Town  met 

The  Selectmen 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  high  ways. 

Mr.  Abraham  Adams 
was  chosen  informer  of  Deer  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

Voted,  that  Herman  Brimmer 

Joseph  Russell  Junr. 
Sam1.  Brown  Esqr. 
be,  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  audit  the  accompts 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  387 

of  the  Selectmen  and  Overseers  of  the  Poor ;  and  said  Committee 
are  also  directed  to  report  the  sum  necessary  to  be  raised  for  the 
service  of  the  present  year.  — 

Messrs.  Benf.  White 
Moses  Ayres 
Thos.  Rice 

Willm.  Todd         (decliDes) 
were  chose  Fence  viewers  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Messrs.  Thos.  Bradley 
David  Holly 
Matthew  Loring 
Wm.  Billings 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  Leather  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  Jeffry  Richardson 
Isaac  Davis 
were  chose  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Messrs.  Edward  Jones 

Richard  Horsfall 
Francis  Booth 
were  chose  Haywards  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Messrs.  George  Cammell 
Daniel  Bell 
were  chose  Hogreeves  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Messrs.  Joshua  Weatherly 
John  Wells 
were  chosen  Assaymasters  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Edward  Tuckerman  Esqr. 
Mr.  Edwd.  Edes 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  wheat  for  the  year  ensuing. 

[462.J         Messrs.  Jirah  Holbrook 
Joseph  Grleason 
Cap*.  Alden  Bass 
William  Jennings 
Thomas  Batter 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  Wood  for  the  year  ensuing 

Voted,  That  in  addition  to  the  Selectmen  twelve  persons  shall 
now  be  chosen  as  a  School  Committee,  —  and  the  Votes  being 
brought  in  counted,  and  sorted,  it  appeared  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  chosen,  viz.  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Revd.  Sam1.  West 

Revd.  John  Lathrop  D.  D. 


388  City  Document. 

Jona.  L.  Austin  Esqr. 

Willm.  Tudor  Esqr. 

Dr.  Thos.  Welsh 

Revd.  John  Clark 

Mr.  Willm.  Smith 

Dr.  Aaron  Dexter 

Honble.  George  E.  Minot  Esqr. 

Dr.  David  Townsend 

Revd.  Sam1.  Stillman  D.  D. 

Voted,  That  the  above  named  Gentlemen  who  conjunctly  with 
the  Selectmen  are  termed  the  School  Committee  be,  and  hereby 
are  directed  to  carry  the  new  system  of  Education,  which  has 
been  adopted  by  the  Town,  into  approbation  :  and  said  Com- 
mittee are  also  authorized  and  empowered  conjunctly  to  manage 
and  regulate  the  affairs  and  Government  of  the  Schools,  and  in 
future  to  exercise  all  the  Powers,  relating  to  the  Schools  and 
School  masters,  which  the  Selectmen,  or  such  Committees  are 
authoriz'd  by  the  Laws  of  this  Commonwealth,  or  the  Votes  of 
this  town  to  exercise ;  any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  notwith- 
standing. — 

Article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  supplying  the  Treasury  — 
read  —  and  after  some  debate  it  was  moved  and  carried  that  this 
subside.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  four  Collectors  of  Taxes  it 
appeared  that 

Messrs.  Benja.  Henderson 
[463.]  Thomas  Bay  ley 

James  Thompson 
Benja.  Jepson 
were  chosen  Collectors  of  taxes  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

Messrs.  John  Champney 

Joseph  Bentley 

Benja.  Page 

John  Cogswell 

Abraham  Hayward 

Benja.  White 

James  Blake 

James  Robins 

Edmund  Ranger 

William  Clouston 

William  Darracott 

Gibbins  Bouve 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Boards  &  Shingles  for  the  year  ensu- 
ing.— 

Messrs.  Joseph  Loring 

Thomas  Barber 

George  Singleton 

Edward  Burt 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  389 

Thomas  Foster 
William  Parkman 
John  Bray 
Henry  Purket 
Jona.  Cushing 
James  Barry 
Hezekiah  Hudson 
Phillip  Hichborn 
Joseph  Whittemore 
were  chosen  cullers  of  Staves  &  Hoops  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Votes  for  an  Inspector  of  Stone  Lime  having  been  brought  in 
it  appeared  that 

Mr.  Joseph  Blake     (declines) 
was  chose  Inspector  of  Stone  Lime  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Voted,  That  5  ^r.  Cent  be,  and  hereby  is  allowed  to  the  Col- 
lectors of  taxes  for  the  year  ensuing,  for  all  such  sums  of  money 
and  public  securities  as  [464.]  they  shall  collect  and  pay  into 
the  several  Treasurers,  of  the  sums  committed  to  them  to  collect, 
also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond,  with  sufficient  sureties 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  duty  in  said  Office,  and  complying  with  this  vote,  and  that' 
they  will  not  receive  any  premium  or  gratuity  for  discounting  any 
orders,  notes,  or  receipts,  from  the  Treasurer  of  this  State,  or 
the  Treasurer  of  this  Town.  — 

On  motion,  Voted,  That  the  Town  Treasurer  be  directed  to 
pay  the  several  Schoolmasters  out  of  the  first  monies  he  receives. 

The  Article  in  the  warrant,  viz  :  what  measures  the  Town  will 
take  in  consequence  of  the  grant  of  a  Township  of  Land  at  the 
eastern  part  of  this  Commonwealth,  obtained  on  the  petition  of 
the  Selectmen  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  and  building  a  Hospital 
in  the  town  of  Boston  —  read,  whereupon 
Voted  that 

the  Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
William  Little  Esq1'. 
Thomas  Edwards  Esqr. 
John  Codman  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  and  report  on  this  Article  at  the  next 
May  meeting. 

The  article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  the  dimensions  of  the 
Rope  walk  Buildings  &c  &c.  read,  whereupon  after  some  debate, 
Voted,  that  this  article  be  left  for  consideration  to  the  Selectmen, 
they  to  settle  this  matter  as  they  shall  judge  most  for  the  interest 
of  the  Town,  upon  the  most  liberal  construction  of  the  Votes 
passed  by  the  Town,  relative  to  the  Rope  walks  at  the  bottom  of 
the  Common. 


390  City  Document. 

The  petition  of  Wm.  Darracott  and  Jona.  Loring  for  an  allow- 
ance on  losses  sustained  by  a  contract  for  building  the   North 
Reading  School,  —  read  —  whereupon  —  Voted.  That  the 
Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
William  Little  Esqr. 
William  Bell  Esqr. 
[465.]    be    a   Committee   to   consider    the    same    and    report 
thereon.  — 

The    Article   in   the   warrant   relative   to  a  Well, — left  to  a 
Selectmen  to  act  thereon  as  they  may  judge  proper. — 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  which  shall  remain  unfin- 
ished at  this  meeting  be  referred  over  to  May  meeting. — 

Voted,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  the  Honble. 
Thos.  Crafts  Esqr.  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  public 
Town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Monday  the  23d. 
day  of  March  A.  D.  1795.  10  °Clock  A.  M.  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

Honble.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote. — 

A  communication  in  the  Paper  of  this  day  published  by  Mr. 
Edes,  —  "  reflecting  on  the  conduct  of  the  Selectmen  in  collecting 
and  counting  the  Votes  for  School  Committee  at  a  late  meeting, 
'was  read  —  whereupon  Voted,  that  Mr.  Edes  be  sent  for,  —  Mr. 
Edes  appeared,  and  being  questioned  as  to  said  publication,  in- 
formed the  Town  that  it  was  brought  him  by  Mr.  Sam1.  How, 
whereupon  Mr.  How  was  sent  for,  —  but  previous  to  his  coming 
into  meeting  —  Mr.  John  Vinal,  master  of  the  writiug  School  in 
the  Common,  —  read  and  handed  in  to  the  Moderator  a  paper  by 
him  signed,  and  purporting  that  for  various  reasons  he  should 
resign  the  School  the  first  of  June  next  which  would  complete  14 
years  since  he  re-entered  into  the  service  of  the  Town.  — 

[466.]  Mr.  Vinal  then  acquainted  the  Town,  that  he  had 
communicated  what  had  been  carried  to  the  Press  by  Mr.  How, 
and  gave  his  reasons  for  a  justification  of  his  conduct  herein. 

Mr.  Howe  then  appeared  and  after  some  altercation  between 
him  and  Mr.  Vinal,  as  also  with  the  Selectmen,  which  were  duly 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  391 

considered   by   the   Town  —  it  was   moved   and   Voted,    unani- 
mously. — 

That  the  reflections  contained  in  the  Boston  Gazette  of  this 
date  to  the  disadvantage  of  the  Selectmen  of  this  Town  is  wholly 
unfounded,  —  and  that  the  Selectmen  will  continue  to  deserve  the 
confidence  of  their  Fellow  Citizens. 

An  advertisement  in  the  Centinel  of  Saturday  last,  for  the  sale 
of  Town  Orders,  was  read,  —  and  it  being  the  sense  of  the  Town 
that  such  a  publication  was  greatly  injurious  to  its  interest,  —  it 
was  moved  and  voted  that  the  Printer,  Mr.  Benja.  Bussell,  be 
sent  for  — 

Mr.  Russell  appeared,  and  being  questioned  by  the  Moderator, 
declared,  that  Mr.  Bingham,  master  of  the  Reading  school  in 
School  street,  was  the  Person  who  handed  to  him  said  Adver- 
tisement. — 

Mr.  Bingham  being  sent  for,  appeared,  and  owned  himself  to 
be  the  writer  of  said  advertisement,  and  after  considerable 
[evidence]  had  been  offered  by  the  Town  to  show  the  destructive 
tendency  of  such  publications,  and  practices — it  was  moved, 
and  Voted,  that  this  matter  subside.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  one  Selectman  in  the  room  of 
Mr.  Bulfinch,  who  has  resigned,  it  appeared  that 

Mr.  Jesse  Putnam 
was  chosen  a  Selectman  for  the  year  ensuing. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  three  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  it 
appeared  that 

Messrs.  Oliver  Brewster 

Arnold  Wells  Junr. 
Dr.  Redford  Webster 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor  for  the  year  ensuing. 

[467.]  Mr.  Bulfinch  as  a  Selectman,  and  Mr.  Parkman  as 
an  Overseer  received  the  thanks  of  the  Town  for  their  good  services 
in  those  Offices  a  number  of  years  past.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  3  cullers  of  Dry  Fish,  it  ap- 
peared that 

Cap1.  Roger  Bartlett 

Cap*.  Joseph  Doble 

Cap*.  David  Bruce 
were  chose  cullers  of  Dry  Fish  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Messrs.  John  Cades 

Thomas  Tenant 
were  chose  Constables  for  the  year  ensuing. 


392  City  Document. 

The  Selectmen  are  directed  to  insert  in  the  next  warrant  an 
Article  relative  to  procuring  better  accommodations  for  the  Town 
Poor  in  the  Alms  House.  — 

The  Votes,  being  brought  in  for  an  Inspector  of  Stone  Lime, 
in  the  room  of  Mr.  Slake  who  declines  serving,  it  appeared  that 
Mr.  Edward  Rumley  was  chosen. 

Voted,  that  any  matter  unfinish'd  be  referr'd  over  to  May 
meeting. 

Voted,  that  the  thanks  of  the  town  be  given  to  the  Honble. 
Thos.  Crafts  Esqr.  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of  Boston,  of 
twenty  one  years  of  age  and  upwards,  qualified  as  the  Constitu- 
tion prescribes,  and  legally  warned,  in  public  town  meeting 
assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Monday  the  6th.  day  of  April 
Anno  Domini  1795. 

Prayer  by  the  Revd.  John  Clark. 

Warrant  for  Calling  Meeting,  —  read.  — 

[468.]  Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Govern- 
ment relative  to  the  choice  of  Governour,  Lieutenant  Governour, 
and  Senators  — read.  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen,  that  no  Votes  would 
be  received,  but  such  as  were  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose 
the  Poll  should  be  closed  at  half  past  One  OClock,  the  Votes  to 
be  received  at  the  table  and  the  Bell  to  begin  tolling  at  One 
°Clock. 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governour,  with  the  number  of  the  Votes 
for  each  Person  viz.  — 

Votes 

His  Excellency  Samuel  Adams  Esqr. 2008 

Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 6 

William  Gushing  Esq1.      -     -     -     -  10 

Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr.   -----  7 

Sam1.  Phillips  Esqr. 1 

Increase  Sumner  Esqr 1 

Moses  Gill  Esqr.     - 1 

John  Vinal  Esqr. 6 

Sam1.  Hewes  Esqr. 2 

Benja.  Austin  Jun1'.  Esqr.       -     -     -  1 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  393 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Lieutenant  Governour  with  the  number  of 
Votes  for  each  Person,  viz 

Votes 

His  Honour  Moses  Gill  Esqr. 2029 

Thos.  Eussell  Esqr. 6 

Sam1.  Adams  Esqr. 1 

James  Bowdoin  Esqr. 4 

Sam1.  Hewes 4 

Adam  Colson 2 

Edwd.  H.  Robins  Esqr.     -     -     -     -  1 

Elbridge  Gerry  Esqr. 1 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  with 
the  number  of  votes  for  each  Person,  viz. 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 2040 

Honble.  Benf.  Austin  Junr.  Esq1.       -     -     -     825 

Honble.  Oliver  Wendell  Esqr. 2003 

Honble.  Charles  Cushing  Esqr.       ....     791 

Theophilus  Cushing  Esq1. 1259 

Honble.  John  Coffin  Jones  Esqr.    -     -     -     -  1233 

[469.]  Honble.  Thos.  Russell  Esqr. 3 

Jona.  Mason  Esqr. 5 

Sam1.  Brown  Esq1.  ------  1 

Henry  Hill  Esqr. 1 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr.     -----         3 

Thos.  Crafts  Esqr. 2 

Wm.  Eustis  Esqr. 1 

Sam1.  Adams,  Truckman  -     -     -     -         1 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  voted  for  as  Governour,  Lieu- 
tenant Governour  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk,  were 
committed  to  the  Secretary  of  this  Commonwealth,   and  the  in- 
closures  sealed  up  in  town  meeting  superscribed  as  follows,  viz. 
For 

John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth 
of  Massachusetts.  — 

The  number  of  Votes  of  the  town  of  Boston,  for  a  Governour, 
Lieu*.  Governour  and  four  Senators,  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
certified  within  and  sealed  up  in  town  meeting,  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  qualified  Voters  of  the  town  of  Boston 
legally  convened  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  6th.  day  of 
May,  Anno  Domini  1795.  10  O  Clock  A.  M.  —  agreeable  to  a 
precept,  issued  for  that  purpose.  — 


394  City  Document. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read. 
Precept,  and  the  resolve  of  the  General  Court  read.  — 
Adjourned  to  3  °Clock  P.  M.  — 
3  °Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  Precept  and  resolve  of  the  General  Court,  for  calling  the 
said  meeting  was  read  —  and  after  the  matter  had  been  fully 
debated  and  due  consideration  had  thereon  — 

Votes 

[470.]     The  number  of  votes  for  revising  the  Constitu- 

tution - 78 

The  number  of  votes  against  revising  the  Con- 
stitution   -     -     - ----49 

The  Selectmen  made  declaration  accordingly  and  the  number 
of  votes,  for  and  against  the  revising  the  Constitution,  were  then 
sealed  up  in  town  meeting,  and  the  same  was  directed  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  and  given  to  Mr.  Peirce  for 
delivery. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders,  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  public 
town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Wednesday  the  11th. 
day  of  May  Anno  Domini  1795.     10  °Clock,  A.  M. 

Prayer  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Freeman. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read  — 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Government  which 
relates  to  the  choice  of  Representatives  —  read  — 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  meeting,  were  accordingly  — 
read. — 

The  town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  choose  seven  persons 
to  represent  them  to  the  General  Court,  of  Massachusetts,  to  be 
held  in  the  State  House,  in  Boston,  on  the  last  Wednesday  of 
May,  Current,  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  frame  of  Govern- 
ment for  Massachusetts,  the  Inhabitants  were  directed  by  the 
Selectmen  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their  Votes,  for  seven  repre- 
sentatives, and  then  it  was  declared  by  the  Selectmen,  that  no 
Votes  would  be  received  but  such  as  are  unfolded,  and  that  they 
intend  the  Poll  shall  be  closed  at  a  half  past  One  °Clock,  Bell  to 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  395 

toll  a  little  before  that  time.     Assessors  and  Collectors  directed 
to  attend.  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  seven  Representatives  the  num- 
ber of  the  same  were  found  to  be  1957.  and  upon  sorting  them  it 
appeared  that  [471.]  only  the  six  following  Gentlemen  had 
obtain'd  a  majority  of  Votes,  viz. 

Votes 

Jona.  Mason  Esqr. 1915 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr. 1125 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 1947 

Thos.  Edwards  Esqr. 1051 

"William  Eustis  Esqr. 1953 

Willm.  Little  Esqr. 1054 

and  declaration  was  made  by  the  Selectmen  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  Wednesday  next,  10  °Clock  A.  M.  having  previ- 
ously chosen  Col0.  Crafts  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote,  to  transact 
the  other  Business  mentioned  in  the  Warrant. 

May  13.  1795.  —  10  °Clock,  A.  M.  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment. 

The  Selectmen  presiding 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  as  directed  for  one  Representative, 
the  number  of  the  same  were  found  to  be  at  the  closing  of  the 
Poll,  at  a  half  past  One  oClock  1814  Votes 

And  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared  that 
Stephen  Gorham  Esqr. 

Votes. 

had  obtained  a  majority  of  Votes. 1113 

Declaration  was  made  by  the  Selectmen  to  the  Town,  that 
Stephen  Gorham  Esqr.  and  the  six  aforenamed  Gentlemen  were 
chosen  Representatives  by  a  majority  of  Votes. 

The  choice  of  Representatives  being  over  and  declared.  — The 
Honble.  Thos.  Crafts  Esqr.  Moderator,  took  the  chair  in  order  to 
transact  the  other  Business  mentioned  in  the  warrant.  —  and  on 
motion,  adjourned  to  3  oClock  P.  M.  — 

3  °Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  adjournment. 

The  article  in  the  warrant  viz.  "what  measures  are  proper  to 
be  taken  for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  Poor,  by  erecting 
new  buildings  or  otherwise." — was  read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  Col0.  Dawes 
Dr.  Eustis 
Dr.  Jarvis 


396  City  Document. 

Col0.  Crafts 

Deacon  Mason 

Wm.  Tudor 
[472.]  Willm.  Phillips  Junr. 

H.  G.  Otis 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  take  up  this  matter  at  large,  and  report  at  the 
adjournment. 

The  article  in  the  warrant,  viz.  —  "  Whether  the  Land  belong- 
ing to  the  town  at  the  bottom  of  the  Mall,  lately  called  Fosters 
pasture,  shall  be  opened  into  the  Common  "  was  read,  whereupon 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  directed  to  carry  the  Mall  to  the 
end  of  Fosters  pasture,  lately  so  called,  and  after  widening  the 
street,  the  remainder  of  the  Land  to  be  inclosed  for  the  future 
use  of  the  town. 

The  article  in  the  warrant  viz.  "  Whether  any,  or  what  part  of 
the  town's  Real  Estate  shall  be  sold  for  payment  of  the  sum 
given  by  the  town  for  the  late  Governours  pasture  "  was  read,  — 
whereupon 

Voted,  that  Joseph  Russell  Junr.  Esqr. 
Col0.  Dawes 
Willm.  Little  Esq1. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  matter  and  report  at  the  adjourn- 
ment. 

Mr.  Robert  Pierponts  application  for  permission  to  make  a 
Cellar  under  Faneuil  Hall  market  and  long  lease, — was  read 
and  debated  whereupon 

Voted,  That  the  Petitioner  have  leave  to  withdraw  his  petition. 

Article  relative  to  the  Dam  on  the  neck,  was  read,  whereupon, 

Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be  a  Committee  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  probable  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  the  re- 
pairing, or  new  erecting  the  Dam  on  the  East  side  of  the  neck, 
and  the  probable  expence  it  may  occasion. 

The  Consideration  of  money  matters,  and  reports  of  Commit- 
tees is  assigned  to  the  adjournment,  and  the  Town  Clerk  is  to 
give  notice  thereof  in  the  several  public  prints.  — 

[473.]  The  Committee  appointed  at  a  town  meeting  on  the 
11th.  of  February  last,  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  for  the  Com- 
monwealth a  piece  of  Land,  proper  for  building  a  State  House, 
and  that  they  be  authoriz'd  to  make  any  contract  for  the  purchase 
of  it  for  that  purpose,  or  to  convey  any  piece  of  the  Lands  owned 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  397 

by  the  town  within  the  same  to  the  Commonwealth,  which  they 
may  deem  expedient,  for  the  interest  of  the  town,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  erecting  a  State  house,  not  alienating  any  part  of  the 
Common,  unless  the  accommodation  cannot  be  had  on  any  other 
terms."  —  Report  — 

That  they  have  in  compliance  with  the  aforesaid  Vote,  pur- 
chas'd  from  the  Heirs  of  the  late  Governour  Hancock,  a  piece  of 
Land  on  the  north  easterly  side  of  the  mansion  house  of  the  late 
Grovernour  Hancock,  commonly  called  the  Governour 's  pasture  ; 
at  the  price  of  Four  thousand  pounds,  and  after  receiving  a  Deed 
of  the  same,  have  executed  a  Deed  in  fee  of  the  same  premises  to 
the  Commonwealth  for  the  purposes  aforesaid  ;  that  in  order  to 
effect  the  purpose  aforesaid,  your  Committee  found  it  necessary 
to  borrow  of  the  Massachusetts  &  Union  Banks  the  sum  of  One 
thousand  pounds,  &  on  the  same  day,  viz.  the  6th.  of  April  last, 
gave  their  Notes  on  interest,  for  the  remainder  of  the  purchase 
money,  payable  by  instalments  of  three,  six  &  nine  months,  — 
All  which  is  submitted  for  the  consideration  &  confirmation  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town. —  By  order 
Boston 
May  13th.  1795 


Wm.  Tudor 

Chairman 


The  above  report  was  read,  and  accepted,  and  thereupon  Voted, 
that  the  purchase  of  the  premises  therein  mentioned,  and  the 
grant  of  the  same  to  the  Commonwealth  be,  and  hereby  is  con- 
firmed. 

Adjourned  to  Thursday,  the  21st.  of  May  ins*,  at  10  °Clock, 
A.  M.  — 

Thursday  May  21st.  10  °Clock,  A.  M.  met  according  to  adjourn- 
ment. — 

[474.]  The  Committee  appointed  to  determine  what  part  of 
the  Town's  Real  Estate  should  be  sold  for  the  purpose  of  paying 
the  money,  which  the  town  have  agreed  to  pay  for  the  Governour' s 
pasture,  so  called.  — 

Beg  leave  to  report  that  they  have  attended  that  Business  and 
have  apprais'd  the  Estate  at  Dock  square  occupied  by  William 
Dawes,  Robert  Crocker,  and  Eliakim  Morse  -  -  -  -  £3200 
And  the  Estate  at  Court  Street,  occupied  by  Jesse  )  Qnf. 

Houghton,  Elizth.  B.  Brown  &  Jesse  Green      -     - 


£4100 


The  Committee  are  of  opinion  that  these  Estates  had  better 
be  sold  at  Auction,  and  the  money  appropriated  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  up  the  notes,  given  by  the  Committee  for  the  purchase 
money,  to  the  late  Governour  Hancock's  Heirs. 

Joseph  Russell  Junr.  ^r.  order. 


398  City  Document. 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read,  and  considered,  the 
question  was  put,  viz.,  whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted, — 
passed  in  the  affirmative.  It  was  then  Voted  that  the  Selectmen 
be  appointed  agents  to  sell  at  public  Auction  (upon  such  terms 
and  conditions  as  they  may  deem  most  beneficial  to  the  town) 
the  Estate  described,  in  the  foregoing  report,  and  that  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof  be  in  the  first  instance,  appropriated  to  the  sole 
purpose  of  discharging  the  debt  contracted  for  the  purchase  of  the 
Governours  pasture,  so  called,  and  the  residue  paid  into  the  town 
treasury. 

And  said  agents  or  a  major  part  of  them  are  hereby  authoriz'd 
to  make  and  execute  good  and  sufficient  conveyances  of  the  prem- 
ises to  the  purchasers,  in  the  name  of  the  Inhabitants. 

The  Committee  appointed  "To  consider  what  measures  are 
proper  to  be  taken  for  the  better  accommodation  of  the  Poor,  by 
erecting  new  buildings  or  otherwise"  —  having  considered  the 
subject  at  large,  ask  leave  to  report  as  follows,  viz. 

1st.  That  [it]  is  highly  expedient  to  have  the  poor  and  sick 
Inhabitants  usually  provided  for  in  the  present  Alms  [475.] 
house,  and  work  house,  better  accommodated ;  and  that  to  effect, 
this  desirable  object,  it  is  indispensably  necessary,  that  an  entire 
new  set  of  Buildings  should  be  erected  in  some  suitable  place  to 
be  approved  of  by  the  Town.  — 

2nd.  The  Committee  find  that  a  lot  of  ground  suitable  for  the 
purpose  can  be  had  at  West  Boston,  on  the  north  side  of  Leverett 
street,  commonly  called  Barton's  point. — 

3d.  In  order  to  raise  the  money  to  purchase  a  sufficient  quan- 
tity of  Land  in  this  place,  the  Committee  are  of  opinion,  that  it  is 
expedient  for  the  town  to  sell  as  many  house  lots  in  their  Land 
opposite  the  mall,  and  near  Greenleafs  corner  as  will  effect  the 
purchase ;  There  will  after  this  remain  a  sufficiency  of  Land  for 
the  School  house,  and  Hay  market.  — 

4th.  It  is  further  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  that  the 
monies  raised  by  the  sale  of  all  the  Land  now  occupied  for  the 
Alms  house,  Work  house,  and  Granary,  may  prove  sufficient  to 
erect  as  many  buildings,  as  are  at  present  indispensably  necessary  ; 
should  they  however  prove  insufficient,  the  township  of  Eastern 
Lands,  the  property  of  the  town,  will  make  good  the  deficiency 
without  burthening  the  Inhabitants  with  a  tax. — 

5th.  The  Committee  propose  that  the  building,  commonly 
called  the  Granary,  be  taken  down,  and  placed  in  the  lot  called 
Fosters  pasture,  and  continue  to  be  the  town's  property ;  in  the 
same  place  may  be  accommodated  the  Gun  house.  ■ — ■ 

6th.  As  it  is  impossible  to  ascertain  the  expence  of  erecting 
the  new  buildings  on  the  one  hand,  and  on  the  other,  what  the 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  399 

land  will  sell  for,  where  the  Alms  house  &c,  now  stand,  and  as  it 
is  highly  probable  that  the  town  may  not  be  able  to  receive  their 
payment  at  such  times,  as  to  accommodate  their  necessary  expend- 
itures, the  committee  respectfully  recommend  to  the  town  to  ap- 
point agents  with  plenary  powers,  to  purchase  the  Land  before 
mentioned,  at  Bartons  point,  to  erect  thereon  a  plain  but  commo- 
dious set  of  Buildings  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick,  and 
poor  Inhabitants,  on  a  plan  to  be  approved  of  by  the  Selectmen, 
or  such  other  persons  as  the  town  shall  appoint.  —  that  their 
[476.]  Committee  be  authoriz'd  to  sell  a  sufficient  number  of 
House  lots,  opposite  the  mall  as  aforementioned,  and  also  to  sell 
all  the  Land  where  the  Alms  house,  Work  house  and  Granary 
now  stand,  in  such  lots,  at  such  time  and  in  such  manner,  as 
shall  best  promote  the  interest  of  the  town,  provided  however, 
and  it  shall  be  a  condition  of  the  sale  of  this  last  mentioned 
Land,  that  the  buildings  to  be  erected  thereon  shall  be  constructed 
of  Brick,  covered  with  tile  or  slate,  and  shall  be  regular  and  uni- 
form. —  That  their  Committee  be  also  impowered  to  sell  a  part  or 
the  whole  of  the  Eastern  Township  if  necessary.  — And  to  antici- 
pate the  payment  of  any  monies  due  from  the  sales  here  men- 
tioned, by  borrowing  in  the  name  of  the  town  such  sums  as  they 
may  from  time  to  time,  judge  necessary. — 

All  which  is  submitted. 
Boston  May  21.  1795.  —  Thomas  Dawes 

pr.  order 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  considered,  Paragraph  by 
Paragraph,  the  Question  was  put  at  large,  viz.  whether  this  report 
shall  be  accepted,  — Passed  in  the  affirmative  unanimously.  — 

Also  Voted,  that  the  number  of  Agents,  for  which  a  blank  was 
left  in  the  aforegoing  report,  shall  be  three,  and  that  they  shall 
be  chosen  by  [vote]  at  the  adjournment,  and  notice  given  thereof, 
in  the  public  prints.  — 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  10  °Clock  before  noon. 

Monday  the  25th.  May,  10  "Clock  A.  M.  —  Met  according  to 
adjournment. 

The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  for  three  Agents 
for  purchase  of  Land  &c.  as  per  report  of  Committee  relative  to 
Alms  house  &c.  and,  on  being  sorted  it  appeared  that  only  two 
were  chosen  viz. 

Honble.  Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 
Samuel  Brown  Esq1. 

The  Inhabitants  brought  in  their  Votes  a  second  time,. and  on 
sorting  them  it  appeared  that 

the  Honble.  George  R.  Minct  Esqr. 
was  chosen  the  other  Agent.  —  whereupon 


400  City  Document. 

[477.]      Voted,  —That  Thomas  Dawes 

Samuel  Brown 
George  R.  Minot  Esq1, 
be,  and  they  hereby  are  appointed  Agents  for,  and  in  behalf  of 
the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  to  sell  at  public  Auction,  at  such 
time,  and  times  as  they  shall  deem  necessary,  and  expedient, 
public  notice  being  first  given  three  weeks  at  least,  all  or  any  part 
or  parts  of  the  following  lands  and  Buildings,  in  that  parcel  of 
Land  belonging  to  the  Town  opposite  the  Mall,  bounded  on  Com- 
mon street,  and  Mason  street,  also  all  that  parcel  of  Laud  now 
occupie'd  for  an  Alms  house,  work  house,  and  other  purposes, 
extending  from  Common  street  to  Beacon  street,  and  to  make 
and  execute  good  and  sufficient  Deeds  and  conveyances  thereof 
to  the  purchasers ;  upon  express  condition,  that  all  Buildings  to 
be  erected  on  the  lands  sold  by  virtue  of  this  Vote,  shall  be  regu- 
lar and  uniform,  and  of  Brick,  or  Stone,  and  covered  with  slate 
or  tile,  or  some  materials  that  will  resist  Fire,  also  for,  and  in 
behalf  of  the  Inhabitants  to  contract,  bargain  for  and  purchase 
so  much  Land  at  Bartons  point  (so  called)  as  they  may  deem 
necessary  and  expedient,  for  the  erection  of  such  Hospitals,  Alms 
houses,  and  other  Buildings  as  may  be  proper,  and  convenient  to 
accommodate  the  Poor  and  Sick,  and  other  Persons  usually 
accomodated  in  the  Alms  house,  and  work  house,  and  to  contract 
for,  and  provide  materials,  plan,  construct,  erect,  and  complete 
Buildings  sufficient  for  the  aforesaid  &  other  necessary  objects.  — 
And  for  the  foregoing  purposes,  the  Treasurer  is  hereby  author- 
ized and  directed  from  time  to  time,  upon  request  of  said  agents 
to  borrow  such  sums  of  money,  as  may  be  requisite,  and  to  obli- 
gate the  Inhabitants  for  the  payment  thereof.  —  And  all  monies 
arising  from  the  sale  of  the  above  mentioned  Lands  &  Buildings 
shall  be  forthwith  paid  by  said  Agents  into  the  hands  of  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Town,  who  is  hereby  enjoined  to  deposit  the 
same  in  some  Bank  or  Banks,  to  be  drawn  out  at  the  request  of 
said  Agents,  [478.]  And  to  be  appropriated  solely  and  exclu- 
sively to  the  aforesaid  objects.  — And  the  said  Agents  are  further 
authorized  to  remove  any  Building  or  Buildings,  (now  on  or  any 
part  of  the  premises)  to  any  other  Lands  belonging  to  the  Town, 
if  they  shall  think  proper,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Selectmen, 
or  wholly  to  take  down  and  dispose  of  the  same  at  public  sale  as 
aforesaid. — And  if  the  funds  arising  from  the  sale  of  the  above 
mentioned  Estates  shall  not  be  likely,  in  the  judgment  of  said 
Agents,  to  prove  adequate  to  the  aforesaid  objects,  the  said 
Agents,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Selectmen,  are  further 
authoriz'd  to  contract  for  the  sale  of  the  Township  belonging 
to  the  Town,  in  the  Eastern  Country,  and  the  Selectmen  are 
hereby  authoriz'd  and  directed  to  make  good  and  sufficient  Deeds 
thereof  to  such  persons  as  may  purchase  the  same  of  said  Agents ; 
and  the  monies  arising  therefrom  shall  be  appropriated  as  afore- 
said .  — 

Adjourned  to  4  °Clock  P.  M. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  401 

Four  °Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  adjournment.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  peti- 
tion of  Wm.  Darracott  and  Jona.  Loring,  Housewrights,  employed 
in  Building  the  North  School  have  attended  that  service,  and  ask 
leave  to  report  the  following  —  Thos.  Dawes  ^r.  order. — The 
Committee  have  examined  the  several  accounts  and  vouchers  ex- 
hibited by  the  petitioner,  for  building  the  North  School  House, 
and  find  that  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  pounds,  being 
the  amount  of  the  contract  with  them,  have  not  been  but  little 
more  than  adequate  for  the  purchasing  the  materials,  and  as  the 
workmanship  is  well  executed  it  is  their  opinion  that  the  Town 
allow  and  pay  them,  out  of  the  next  Town  tax,  the  sum  of  one 
hundred  pounds  as  a  full  compensation  for  the  aforesaid  Buildings 
agreeable  to  the  prayer  of  their  Petition. 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  considered  the  [479.] 
Question  was  put  viz.  whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted  — 
passed  in  the  affirmative  — 

Voted,  that  Thomas  Dawes 
Perez  Morton 
Will"1.  Tudor  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  confer  with  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  relative 
to  the  Lands  to  be  left  open  between  Messrs.  Richardson  and 
Emmons  Rope  walks,  also  such  other  matters  relative  to  the  New 
Street  from  Atkinson  street  to  Hutchinson  street ;  and  bring  the 
matter  in  dispute  between,  the  Town  and  the  Rope  makers,  pro- 
prietors of  the  Rope  walks  late  consumed  by  Fire,  to  a  decision. — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  audit  the  Town  Treasurers  ac- 
compts  [reported]  and  have  attended  that  service,  and  ask  leave 
to  report ;  That  they  find  the  accounts  of  the  said  Treasurer  well 
vouched  and  rightly  cast,  there  was  due  to  the  Town  the  first  of 
March  1795.  (if  the  outstanding  debts  could  be  collected) 

£5803  „  13  ,,    0 

But  your  Committee  are  of  opinion  the  fol- 
lowing never  can  be,  viz  : 
Acco*.  of  Towns  Powder  stands  in  Debt  by  ye 

Books  £312  ,,  11  ,,    8 

Samue1.  Jepson  ...  -  21  ,,  10  ,,  6 
Ephraim  Brown  -  -  -  -  12,,  6,,  8 
Peirce  &  Wheeler  -     -     -     -  7  ,,  10  ,,    0 


353  ,,  18  ,,  10 


To  which  may  be  added  a  sup- 
posed abatement  on  1794  tax  j  599  ,,  14 


953  ,,  13  ,,    0 
Which  will  reduce  the  balance  due  the  Town  to  4850  ,,    0  ,,    0 


402 


City  Document. 


The  Selectmens  drafts  on  the  Treasurer  from  1st.  March  1794.  to 

1st.  March  1795  amount  to £8212  ,,  19  ,,     9£ 

The  Overseers  for  the  same  period  were  -     -        3053  ,,     7  ,,  11 


£11265  ,,  1! 


8* 


The  Balances  due  from  the  several  Collectors  on  1st 
as   in    the    tryal    balance    of    the    Books, " 


amount  to 

[480.]  Since  which  to  11th. 
inst.  has  been  received  of  them, 
by  the  Treasurer,  (which  is  the 
whole  of  1793.  and  part  of  1794 

Tax) 2773  ,,  8 

So  there  is  now  due  from  the  Collectors  on 
account  of  1794  tax 


Mar.  1795 
£9880  „    1  „    83- 


„7H 

£7106  „  13 


Your  Committee  from  the  best  information  they  can  get, 
Report,  that  a  tax  of  £12000  will  be  necessary  to  defray  the 
following  expences  of  the  current  Year,  viz.  — 
School  masters  and  Ushers  as  last  Year  -  - 
Repairing  schools,  wood  &  ca'  ...  - 
Watchmen,  Coals,  Candles  &  ca'  -     -     -     - 

Assessors  pay 

Collector's  premiums  -------- 

Lamps,  if  light  the  year  ------- 

Town  Clerk's  salary  -------- 

Town  Treasurers  ditto    -     - 

Officer  of  Police       d°.     ------     - 

Messenger  to  the  Selectmen 

Clerks  of  the  market 

Constables  service 

Interest  on  Monies  owed  by  the  Town  now 

due 

Ditto  for  the  present  Year  ------ 


Repairing  Clocks 

New  Engine 

Repairing  Engines 

Printing  for  the  Town     -     -     -     - 
Stationary  -------- 

Ringing  of  Bells 

Paving  streets  ------- 

Pay  for  a  new  street 

D°.  for  the  late  Governors  pasture 


£2227 

55                     5 

5        55 

200 

)5                  5 

5        55 

600 

55                  5 

5        55 

650 

55                   5 

5         55 

600 

55                   5 

5        55 

1000 

>5                   5 

5        55 

200 

55                  5 

5        55 

200 

55                  ) 

5        55 

180 

55                   5 

5        55 

70 

55                   5 

5        55 

10 

55                   5 

5        55 

25 

55                   5 

5        55 

102 

55                   5 

'         55 

180 

55                   5 

5         55 

£6244 

55                   5 

5         55 

£18 

55                  5 

5         55 

120 

55                  5 

5        55 

50 

55                  5 

5         55 

50 

55                   5 

5        55 

25 

55                   5 

5        55 

75 

55                   5 

5        >» 

1800 

55                  5 

5        55 

211 

„  13    , 

y     55 

4000 

55                   ', 

5        75 

Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  403 


1000  „ 

?? 

55 

130  „ 

?) 

55 

1000  „ 

55 

55 

126  „ 

7 

55 

55 

3000  „ 

55 

55 

11606  „ 

0 

55 

0 

6244  „ 

Dam  on  the  neck 

To  finish  the  survey  of  the  Town  - 
New  Streets  thro'  ye  Rope  walks  -     -     - 
Incidental  charges,  visiting  Schools  &c  - 
[481.]  For  the  Overseers  of  the  Poor   - 


£17850  „    0 
From   which   may  be   deducted.  — 

Balance 
due  the  Town  as  by  the  within  state- 
ment      £4850  ,,    ,,     ,, 

Suppose  will  be  received  from  the 
Commonwealth  for  the  support  of 

their  Poor 1000,,     ,,     ,, 

5850  „ 


£12000  ,,    0 


Your  Committee  therefore  recommend  that  the  sum  of  Twelve 
thousand  pounds  be  assessed  for  the  present  Year,  unless  the 
Town  provide  for  the  payment  of  the  late  Governors  pasture  or 
any  other  part  of  the  Estimate  of  expences,  in  some  other  way, 
than  by  a  tax.  —  All  which  is  submitted.  — 

Herman  Brimmer 
Joseph  Russell  Junr. 
Sam1.  Brown 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  considered,  it  was  Voted, 
that  the  same  be  accepted.  — 

Voted,  That  the  sum  of  Twelve  thousand  pounds  be  raised  by 
a  tax  to  be  assessed  on  the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town,  to  defray  the  expences  of  the  current  Year. 

Voted,  That  the  sum  of  Two  hundred  pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  to  Joseph  Russell  for  his  services  as  Town  Treasurer  the 
present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  in  quarterly  payments  as  it 
shall  become  due  &  to  commence  the  first  of  March  last.  — 

Voted,  That  the  sum  of  two  hundred  pounds  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  William  Cooper  for  his  services  as  Town  Clerk,  the 
present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  quarterly,  as  it  shall 
become  due  and  to  commence  the  first  of  March  last.  — 

Voted,  That  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  [482.] 
Pounds  be  allowed  to  each  of  the  Assessors  for  their  respective 
services  the  present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  them  quarterly,  as 
it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  first  of  March  last.  — 


404  City  Document. 

Voted,  That  the  sum  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  pounds  be 
allowed  and  paid  unto  Josiah  Waters,  for  his  services  as  Officer 
of  the  Police,  the  present  year,  to  be  paid  him  quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  take  into  consideration  the  prob- 
able advantages  and  •  disadvantages  of  the  preparing  or  new 
erecting  the  Dam,  on  the  East  side  the  neck,  and  the  probable 
expence  it  may  occasion,  having  attended  that  Business,  report 
as  their  opinion  that  it  will  be  most  for  the  benefit  of  the  Town, 
that  a  new  Dike  should  be  made,  according  to  the  modern  plan, 
as  the  present.  Dam  is  in  so  ruinous  and  decayed  a  state  as  to 
render  a  complete  repair  almost  as  expensive  as  a  new  one,  and 
at  the  same  time  will  not  fully  answer  the  purposes  intended,  and 
expected.  —  The  time  for  which  it  is  now  leased  will  expire  the 
4tb.  April.  1797. 

The  quantity  of  Land  on  this  side  the  neck  exclusive  of  salt 
marsh,  without  the  Dam,  is  nearly  50  acres ;  should  we  be  suc- 
cessful in  keeping  out  the  salt  water,  &  we  see  nothing  to  prevent 
it,  calculating  upon  the  experience  of  individuals  who  have  had 
Land  in  similar  situations,  the  probable  profit  to  the  town  will  be 
500  Dollrs.  annually,  while  from  the  best  inquiries  and  calcula- 
tions the  expence  will  not  exceed  £1000,  — if  our  calculations  are 
just  this  will  yield  us  15  fJ  Cent,  for  our  money,  we  can  conceive 
no  probable  disadvantage  that  can  arise  to  the  Town,  from  this 
measure,  unless  the  expence  at  this  particular  time  should  be 
thought  so,  in  addition  to  the  pecuniary  advantage  which  we  pre- 
sume the  town  will  experience,  we  think  it  no  small  one,  that  the 
Eye  will  be  relieved  from  the  view  of  a  barren  waste,  by  a  beauti- 
ful &_pleasing  verdure  :  —  and  should  the  Town  in  a  future  day 
think  proper  to  sell  the  same,  we  presume  the  value  will  be  [483.] 
enhanced  much  beyond  the  expence.     By  order 

Ezek1.  Price.  — 

The  aforegoing  report  having  been  read,  and  considered,  the 
question  was  put,  viz  whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted,  — 
passed  in  the  affirmative. 

Voted,  That  all  matters  and  things  unfinished  at  this  meeting, 
be  referred  over  to  the  next  general  Town  meeting. 

Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  the  Honble. 
Tho8.  Crafts  Esqr.  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator  of  this 
meeting.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  public  town  meeting 
assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Saturday  the  4th  day  of  July  A.  D. 
1795.  — 10  °Clock  A.  M. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  405 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read.  — 

William  Cooper 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  the  last  year  to  make  choice  of  a 
Gentleman,  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  anniversary  of  Inde- 
pendence. — 

Reported,  that  they  had  made  choice  of  Mr.  George  Blake  Esqr. 
—  who  has  accepted.  — 

On  motion,  Voted,  That  the  Oration  be  delivered  at  the  Old 
South  Church,  11  °Clock,  Liberty  therefor,  having  been  obtained. 

Voted,  That  the  Gentleman,  the  Selectmen  acquaint  Mr.  Blake 
with  this  Vote. 

Adjourned  to  the  Old  South  Church. 

[484.]  AN   ORATION 

to  commemorate  the  Independence  of  the  United  States  was  de- 
livered by  Geo.  Blake  Esqr.  at  the  Old  South  Church.  — 

On  motion  Voted,  That  the  Selectmen  be,  and  hereby  are  ap- 
pointed a  Committee  to  wait  on  George  Blake  Esqr.  and  in  the 
name  of  the  Town,  to  thank  him  for  the  spirited  and  elegant 
Oration  this  clay  delivered  by  him,  at  the  request  of  the  Town, 
upon  the  anniversary  of  the  Independence  of  the  United  States 
of  America,  in  which  according  to  the  institution  of  the  Town,  he 
considered  the  feelings,  manners  and  principles  which  led  to  that 
great  national  event,  — And  to  request  of  him  a  Copy  thereof  for 
the  Press.  — 

On  motion,  Voted,  that  the  Gentlemen  Selectmen  be,  and 
hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  apply  to  some  one  Learned 
and  able  Gentleman,  to  deliver  an  Oration  on  the  4th.  of  July, 
A.  D.  1796.  —  that  day  being  the  anniversary  of  the  independence 
of  the  United  States  of  America ;  wherein  the  Orator  is  to  con- 
sider the  feelings,  manners,  and  principles  which  led  to  this  great 
national  event,  —  as  well  as  the  important  and  happy  effects 
whether  general  or  Domestic,  which  have  already,  and  will  for- 
ever flow,  from  that  auspicious  Epoch.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


406  City  Document. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  town  meeting 
assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Friday  the  10th.  day  of  July  A.  D. 
1795. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read. 

Hon*16.  Thos.  Crafts  Esqr. 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote.  — being  unwell. 

[485.]  Honble.  Thos.  Dawes 

was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  Hand  Vote.  — 

The  article  in  the  warrant,  relative  to  the  pending  Treaty  — 
read,  and  after  considerable  debate, 

It  was  moved  and  Voted,  That  the  sense  of  the  Inhabitants  be 
taken  upon  the  Treaty  now  pending  between  the  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  and  the  question  being  clearly  stated,  it  was 
called  for  in  the  affirmative ;  and  not  a  single  Vote  appeared  in 
its  favor ;  upon  which  the  negative  was  put,  and  was  unani- 
mously carried.  The  Hall  was  remarkably  crowded,  on  this  im- 
portant occasion.     It  was  then  moved  and  Voted,  that 

Charles  Jarvis  Esqr 

William  Tudor  Esqr. 

Willm.  Eustis  Esqr. 

Benja.  Austin  Junr.  Esqr. 

Cap*.  Nath1.  Fellows 

Perez  Morton  Esqr. 

Sam1.  Brown  Esqr. 

Thomas  Dawes  Esqr. 

Joseph  Blake  Junr.  Esq1. 

William  Little  Escf. 

Willm.  Cooper  Esq1'. 

G-eorge  Blake  Esq1'. 

Stephen  Gorharn  Esq1-. 

John  Sweetser  Esqr. 

Thos.  Walley  Esq1'. 
be  a  Committee  to  take  the  subject  at  large  into  consideration, 
and  to  state  the  objections  to  the  several  articles  of  the  Treaty, 
that  the  same  may  be  respectfully  represented  by  an  address  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  and  request  the  interposition 
of  his  constitutional  Authority  to  prevent  the  said  Treaty  being 
carried  into  effect. 

The  meeting  was  then  adjourned  to  Monday  next,  10  °Clock. 
A.  M.— 

Monday  the  13th.  day  of  July  10  °Clock  A.  M.  met  according 
to  adjournment. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  407 

[486.]  On  a  motion  of  Dr.  Jarvis,  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  15th. —  The  pending  Treaty  was  distinctly  read  in 
Town  meeting  by  the  Moderator.  — 

The  Committee  then  Reported  as  follows,  viz. 

A  Pamphlet  printed  at  Philadelphia  under  the  signature  of  S. 
T.  Mason  Esqr.  one  of  the  Senators  of  the  United  States,  from 
the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia,  and  purporting  to  be  a  genuine 
Copy  of  a  Treaty  of  Amity,  Commerce,  and  Navigation,  entered 
into  at  London,  on  the  19th.  day  of  November  last,  between  Lord 
Grenville  on  the  part  of  his  Britannick  Majesty,  and  John  Jay 
Esq1",  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  was  read  and  duly  con- 
sidered, and  thereupon  it  was, 

Resolved,  As  the  sense  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  Town,  that 
the  aforesaid  Instrument,  if  Ratified,  will  be  highly  Injurious  to 
the  commercial  interests  of  the  United  States,  derogatory  to  their 
National  Honour,  and  Independence,  and  may  be  dangerous  to 
the  Peace  &  Happiness  of  their  Citizens.  The  reasons  which 
have  induced  this  opinion  are  as  follows,  viz*. 

1st.  Because,  This  Compact  professes  to  have  no  referrence  to 
the  Merits  of  the  Complaints  and  pretensions  of  the  contracting 
parties ;  but  in  reality  the  complaints  and  pretensions  of  Great 
Britain  are  fully  provided  for,  while  a  part  only  of  those  of  the 
United  states  have  been  brought  into  Consideration.  — 

2dly.  Because,  in  the  stipulation  which  restores  our  Posts  on  the 
Western  Frontier,  no  provision  is  made  to  indemnify  the  United 
states  for  the  Commercial,  and  other  Losses  they  have  sustained, 
and  the  heavy  expences  to  which  they  have  been  subjected  in 
consequence  of  being  kept  out  of  possession,  for  twelve  Years 
in  direct  violation  of  the  Treaty  of  Peace.  — 

3dly.  Because,  no  indemnification  is  proposed  to  be  made  to  the 
Citizens  of  the  United  States,  for  property  [487.]  taken  from 
them  at  the  close  of  the  War,  the  restitution  of  which  is  pro- 
vided for  in  the  same  Treaty. 

4thly.  Because,  the  Capture  of  Vessels  and  property  of  Citizens 
of  the  United  States  during  the  present  War,  made  under  the 
Authority  of  the  Government  of  Great  Britain,  is  a  National 
Concern,  and  claims  arising  from  such  Captures  ought  not  to 
have  been  submitted  to  the  decision  of  their  admiralty  Courts  as 
the  United  States  are  thereby  precluded  from  having  a  voice  in 
the  final  determination  of  such  cases.  —  Because,  the  Indemnifica- 
tion proposed,  is  to  be  sought  by  a  Process  tedious  and  expen- 
sive, in  which  justice  may  be  delayed,  to  an  unreasonable  time, 
and  eventually  lost  to  many  of  the  sufferers  from  their  inability 


408  City  Document. 

to  pursue  it ;  and  because  this  mode  of  Indemnification  bears 
no  proportion  to  the  summary  method  adopted  for  the  satisfac- 
tion of  British  claims. 

5thly.  Because,  this  compact  admits  British  subjects  to  an  equal 
participation  with  our  own  citizens  of  the  interior  traffic  of  the 
United  states  with  the  neighboring  Indians  thro'  our  whole  ter- 
ritorial dominions  ;  while  the  advantages  ostensibly  reciprocated 
to  our  citizens  are  limited  both  in  their  nature  and  extent. 

6tMy.  Because,  the  alien  duties  upon  merchandize  imported  into 
the  United  states  by  British  subjects  in  their  own  Bottoms  is,  if 
not  wholly  suspended,  at  least  contracted,  not  to  be  increased. — 

7tMy.  Because,  the  Commerce  the  United  States  have  hitherto 
enjoyed  in  India,  in  common  with  other  Nations,  is  so  restricted 
that  in  future  it  will  be  of  little,  or  no  substantial  benefit  to  our 
own  Citizens.  — 

[488.]  8thly.  Because,  in  every  stipulation  respecting  our  inter- 
course with  the  Colonial  possessions  of  Great  Britain,  the  whole 
commerce  of  the  United  States  in  such  intercourse  is  colonized  in 
return. — 

9tWy.  Because,  the  clause  by  which  the  British  Government 
reserves  to  itself  the  right  of  imposing  on  American  Vessels, 
entering  British  ports  in  Europe,  a  Duty  which  shall  countervail 
the  difference  of  the  Duty  payable  on  the  importation  of  European 
and  Asiatic  Goods  into  the  United  States  in  British  or  American 
bottoms,  places  it  in  the  power  of  that  Government  to  enable 
British  subjects  to  become  the  importers  of  Asiatic  and  European 
Goods  into  the  United  states  to  the  exclusion  of  our  own  Citizens. 

10thly.  Because,  altho'  the  terms  of  said  Treaty  purport  to  be 
reciprocal  in  many  instances,  yet  from  the  local  situation  and 
existing  circumstances  of  the  United  states,  and  the  Pacific 
system  of  policy  they  have  adopted,  that  reciprocity  is  merely 
nominal  and  delusive. 

llthly.  Because,  it  prevents  the  United  States  from  imposing  any 
further  restrictions  on  the  British  trade  alone,  and  because  it  is 
stipulated  that  neither  the  debts  due  from  Individuals  of  the  one 
Nation  to  Individuals  of  the  other,  nor  shares,  nor  monies  which 
they  may  have  in  the  public  funds,  or  in  any  public  or  private 
Banks,  shall  ever  in  any  event  of  war,  or  national  difference,  be 
sequestered  or  confiscated, — as  it  is  far  from  being  impossible 
that  the  exercise  of  this  right  may  in  the  opinion  of  the  Legisla- 
ture of  the  United  states,  contribute  to  preserve  the  peace  of  our 
Country,  and  protect  the  rights  and  property  of  the  citizens 
from  violation,  we  therefore  esteem  it  highly  impolitic  that  the 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1795.  409 

public  faith  should  be  pledged  that  it  shall  never  be  exercised 
under  any  circumstances  whatever.  — 

[489.]  12thly.  Because,  it  concedes  a  Right  to  the  British  Gov- 
ernment, to  search  and  detain  our  Vessels  in  time  of  War  between 
them  and  other  Nations,  under  frivolous  and  vexatious  pretexts. 

igtniy  Because,  it  provides  that  Ship  timber,  Tar,  Hemp,  Sails, 
and  Copper,  shall  be  considered  contraband  of  War,  which  arti- 
cles are  expressly  stipulated  to  be  free  by  the  Treaties  already 
subsisting  between  the  United  States  and  all  other  Nations  with 
whom  they  are  in  compact. 

14thly.  Because,  it  surrenders  all  or  most  of  the  Benefits  of  a 
Commercial  nature  which  we  had  a  right  to  expect  from  our 
Neutrality  in  the  present  European  War.  — 

15thly.  Because,  it  precludes  the  hope  of  receiving  any  advantage 
from  the  modern  Law  of  nations  referred  to  in  the  Presidents 
Proclamation  of  Neutrality ;  adopted  by  most  of  the  Nations  of 
Europe  in  the  last  War,  and  to  which  we  then  acceded,  and  have 
since  secured  in  our  Treaties  with  all  other  Nations. 

16thly.  Because,  it  not  only  surrenders  the  right  of  carrying  the 
property  of  any  Nation  at  War  with  Great  Britain  in  our  Vessels 
freely,  but  abandons  all  pretentions  even  to  the  freight. 

17thly.  Because,  it  permits  the  British  nation  to  convert  provi- 
sions destined  to  other  Nations  at  War  with  them,  to  their  own 
use,  on  payment  of  what  they  may  deem  a  reasonable  profit ;  a 
measure,  not  only  injurious  to  the  interest  of  the  American  Mer- 
chant, but  which  will  prevent  our  citizens  from  carrying  American 
productions  to  other  Countries,  which  by  the  Laws  of  Nature  and 
Nations  they  have  a  right  to  do  without  molestation. 

18thly.  Because,  it  limits  the  Power  of  Congress  delegated  to 
them  by  the  Constitution,  —  "To  regulate  our  Commerce  with 
foreign  Nations,"' — by  prescribing  conditions,  and  creating  im- 
pediments to  the  exercise  of  that  Power. 

[490.]  19thly.  Because,  it  exposes  the  United  States  and  their 
Commerce,  to  similar  embarrassments  from  other  Commercial 
nations,  all  of  whom  probably  regulate  our  trade  by  this  partial 
standard.  — 

and  Lastly, — Because,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this 
town,  the  Nature  and  Extent  of  the  Exports  of  the  United  States 
are  such,  that  in  all  their  stipulations  with  foreign  Nations,  they 
have  it  in  their  power  to  secure  a  perfect  reciprocity  of  inter- 
course not  only  with  the  home  Dominions  of  such  Nations,  but 
with  all  their  colonial  dependences.  — 


410  City  Document. 

It  is  further  Hesolved,  that  a  Copy  of  the  foregoing  Proceed- 
ings, attested  by  the  Town  Clerk  be  immediately  transmitted  to 
the  President  of  the  United  States,  that  they  may  be  respectfully 
submitted  to  his  consideration.  —  And  we  earnestly  hope,  and 
confidently  rely,  that  his  Prudence,  Fortitude  and  Wisdom  which 
have  more  than  once  been  eminently  instrumental  in  the  salvation 
of  his  Country,  will  be  equally  conspicuous  on  the  present  occa- 
sion, and  that  the  Reasons  we  have  assigned,  will  have  their 
influence  to  induce  him  to  withhold  his  signature  from  the  Rati- 
fication of  this  alarming  Instrument. 

The  above  report  having  been  considered  by  Paragraphs — the 
Question  was  put. —  "whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted"  — 
Passed  in  the  Affirmative,  —  unanimously.  — 

Moved  and  Voted,  that  the  Gentlemen  the  Selectmen,  be 
requested  to  transmit  the  same  to  the  President  by  express  and 
that  the  Selectmen  sign  the  Letter  to  be  sent  the  President. 

On  motion  Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  this  town  be  given  to  the 
Honble.  Stephen  Thompson  Mason  one  of  the  Senators  of  the 
United  States,  for  his  patriotic  conduct  in  publishing  the  late 
Commercial  Treaty  agreed  to  by  Mr.  Jay,  between  the  United 
States  and  the  British  Nation,  thereby  giving  an  opportunity  for 
the  Citizens  to  express  their  sentiments  on  this  important  and 
interesting  occasion. — Also  that  the  Town  Clerk  forward  the 
same  to  Mr.  Mason  by  the  post. 

[491.]  Voted,  That  the  thanks  of  the  town  be  given  to 
Honble.  Tho8.  Dawes  Esqr.  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Boston,  in  public  Town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil 
Hall  on  Monday  the  second  day  of  Nov1-.  A.  D.  1795.  — 10 
°Clock  A.M. 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read. 

Hon.b(le.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote. 

The  Petition  of  Henry  Jackson  Esqr.  and  others,  laid  before 
the  Town  by  order  of  the  General  Court  —  read  —  whereupon 
Voted,  that 

Honble.  George  R.  Minot  Esqr. 

Honble.  Tho8.  Dawes  Esqr. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  411 

Dr.  Townsend 

Mr.  Ebenr.  Seaver 

Mr.  Treasurer  Russell 
be  a  Committee  to  take   said  Petition  into  consideration,  and 
report  at  the  adjournment. 

The  Article  in  the  "Warrant  relative  to  the  Common  and  Chapel 
Burying  grounds  —  read  —  whereupon  Voted,  that 
The  HonWe.  Thos.  Dawes  Esqr. 
The  Honble.  Geo.  R.  Minot  Esqr. 
Dr.  Eustis 

Nath1.  Appleton  Esqr. 
[492.]  Dr.  Jarvis 

Mr.  Nath1.  Balch 
Honble.  Willm  Tudor  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  report  some  suitable  place  or  places  of  deposit 
for  the  Dead,  in  order  that  the  Town  may  be  enabled  to  discon- 
tinue  the  opening  of    any  graves  in  the  Common   and  Chapel 
Burying  grounds. 

The  article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  the  disposal  of  a  small 
strip  of  salt  marsh,  on  the  neck,  read,  whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Committee  on  Henry  Jackson  and  others  Peti- 
tion, be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  article,  and  report  thereon 
to  the  Town. 

The  other  articles  in  the  warrant  referred  over  to  the  adjourn- 
ment. 

Adjourned  to  Friday  next  10  °Clock  A.  M. 

Friday,  Nov1'.  6.  1795.  — 10  OClock  A.  M.  met  according  to 
adjournment. 

Voted,  on  motion,  that  all  matters  unfinished  be  referred  for 
consideration  to  the  general  town  meeting  of  this  day. 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
town,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned,  in  Public  town  meeting 
assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Friday  the  6th.  day  of  November 
A.  D.  1795.  10  O  Clock  A.  M. 

Warrant  for  calling  the  meeting  —  read. 

[493.]  The  Honble.  Thos.  Crafts  Esqr. 

was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 


412  City  Document. 

An  attested  Copy  of  the  petition  of  Henry  Jackson  and  others, 
praying  for  Liberty  to  erect  a  Dyke,  or  Causeway  at  the  Southerly 
part  of  Boston,  to  extend  to  the  northwesterly  point  of  Land  at 
Dorchester  neck,  which  was  referred  to  the  Legislature  of  the 
Common-wealth  at  their  last  Sessions  being  read,  together  with 
the  order  of  notification  to  this  town,  passed  by  the  General 
Court  thereon.  — 

Voted,  that  the  Inhabitants  have  no  cause  to  show  why  the 
Prayer  of  said  Petition  should  not  be  granted,  but  on  the  con- 
trary do  approve  of  the  said  application,  as  embracing  many 
general  and  public  advantages. 

On  the  article  in  the  late  warrant  referred  to  this  meeting,  rel- 
ative to  disposing  of  a  small  strip  of  salt  marsh.  The  Committee 
thereon  report,  that  the  same  be  referred  to  the  Selectmen,  in 
order  that  they  may  receive  any  proposals  for  the  purchase  of  the 
strip  of  marsh  Land  therein  mentioned,  and  lay  the  same  before 
the  Town  at  some  future  meeting.  — which  report  was  accepted. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Town  to  consider  the  subject 
of  the  Burying  grounds  at  large,  and  to  report  on  Friday  next, 
some  suitable  place  of  deposit  for  the  Dead,  in  order  that  the 
Town  may  be  enabled  to  discontinue  the  opening  of  Graves  in 
the  Common,  and  Chapel  Burying  grounds,  report  as  follows  :  — 
The  Committee  having  consulted  the  Physicians  of  the  Town,  find 
it  to  be  their  opinion  that  the  Health  of  the  Inhabitants  is  in 
danger  from  the  crowded  state  of  these  Grounds,  &  the  exhala- 
tions which  must  frequently  arise  from  opening  Graves  therein. 
In  addition  to  which  they  find  it  is  almost  impossible  to  open  new 
[494.]  Graves  without  disturbing  the  relicts  of  the  Dead  already 
interred.  From  an  equal  regard  to  Health  and  from  a  decent 
respect  for  both  the  living  and  the  Dead,  they  recommend  it  to 
the  Inhabitants  to  adopt  the  following  measures. 

1st.  That  no  Graves  or  new  Tombs  shall  be  opened  or  built,  in 
either  the  Common  or  Chapel  burying  Grounds,  after  the  first  day 
of  May  next. 

2my.  As  the  South  Burying  grounds  is  already  sufficiently  large 
for  the  present  accommodation  of  the  Inhabitants  and  will  admit 
of  such  enlargement,  that  the  Selectmen  be  empowered  to  allot  to 
any  Inhabitant  who  may  apply  for  the  same,  sufficient  Ground 
for  erecting  a  Tomb,  in  this  Ground,  and  to  enlarge  the  said 
South  Burying  Ground  in  a  direction  westerly  whenever  the  public 
convenience  shall  in  their  judgment  require  it. 

3d.  Inasmuch  as  in  remarkably  inclement  weather,  it  may  be 
inconvenient  for  Funerals  to  proceed  to  the  South  Burying 
Ground,  that  the  Selectmen  cause  to  be  erected  under  the  Vestry 
room  of  the  Stone  Chapel,  or  in  some  other  part  of  the  Chapel 
burying  ground,  a  Vault  or  Tomb  suitable  for  a  temporary  deposit, 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  413 

in  which  any  of  the  Inhabitants,  who  may  incline  thereto,  shall 
have  a  right  to  deposit  the  Bodies  of  their  deceased  Friends  or 
relatives,  for  a  term  of  time  not  exceeding  twenty  four  hours, 
(unless  in  particular  cases)  by  special  permission  of  the  Select- 
men, until  it  may  be  convenient  for  them  to  remove  such  Bodies 
to  the  place  of  final  interment,  — 
All  which  is  submitted.  — Thos.  Dawes  ^  order. 

The  foregoing  report  having  been  read  and  consider'd,  the 
Question  was  put,  whether  the  same  shall  be  accepted  —  passed 
in  the  affirmative. — 

[495.]  On  the  Petition  of  the  Assessors  for  a  further  allow- 
ance, on  account  of  the  rise  of  provisions  — 

Voted  Judge  Tudor 
Judge  Minot 
Mr.  Edwards 
be  a  Committee  to  take  the  Petition  into  consideration,  and  report 
thereon  as  soon  as  may  be.  — 

The  article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  the  new  street,  read, 
whereupon  Voted,  that 

Judge  Tudor 

Judge  Minot 

Dr.  Eustis 

Dr.  Townsend 

Majr.  Thompson 
be,  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  compromise  the 
Business  of  laying  out  the  new  street  from  Atkinson  street  to 
Hutchinson  street,  as  to  the  sums  to  be  paid  or  recd.  by  the 
several  Abutters,  and  that  if  said  Committee  cannot  make  such 
compromise  before  the  first  day  of  September  next,  that  they  make 
report  thereof  to  the  Selectmen,  who  are  in  such  case  directed 
to  proceed  as  soon  as  may  be,  in  Assessing  the  Damages  by  a 
Jury  according  to  Law. 

Article  relative  to  the  Petition  for  selling  part  of  the  Common 
—  was  read  —  together  with  the  petition  —  read,  and  after  some 
debate  —  Voted,  that  the  Petitioners  have  leave  to  Withdraw 
their  Petition.  — 

All  matters  unfinished  referred  over  to  the  next  Town  meet- 
ing.— 

Voted,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be  given  to  the  HonWe. 
Tho8.  Crafts  Esq1,  for  his  good  services  as  Moderator.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


414  City  Document. 

[496.]  At  A  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
public  Town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Monday  the 
seventh  day  of  December  A.  D.  1795.  —  10  O  Clock  A.  M.  — 

"Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read. 

Honble.  Thos.  Dawes  Esq1. 
was  chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  a  Town  Treasurer,  and  it  was  declared  by  the  Select- 
men that  the  Poll  shall  be  closed  at  12  O  Clock.  — 

The  Votes  for  a  Town  Treasurer  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Joseph 
Russell,  lately  deceased,  being  brought  in,  counted  and  sorted,  it 
appeared  that  the  whole  number  was  968,  and  that 

Mr.  Samuel  Clap 
was  chosen  by  a  great  majority 686  Votes 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  give  Bond  with  sureties,  to 
the  satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen  in  the  penalty  of  £10000  for 
the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  his  office.  — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  whom  was  referr'd  the  Petition 
of  the  Assessors  for  an  additional  allowance  in  compensation  for 
the  rise  of  provisions  &c.  —  was  read  —  and  after  consideration 

Voted,  that  an  addition  of  thirty  pounds  be  made  to  each  of 
the  Assessors  former  grants,  as  a  compensation  for  their  services, 
but  not  to  be  considered  as  a  precedent  in  future.  — 

[497.]  The  Committee  relative  to  the  street  lately  Voted  to 
be  laid  out  between  Hutchinson  and  Atkinson  streets  having  re- 
ported, and  the  same  duly  consider'd  by  the  Town,  the  Question 
was  put,  viz. — whether  the  said  Report  shall  be  accepted, — 
passed  in  the  negative,  it  was  then 

Voted,  That  it  is  the  opinion  of  the  Town  that  the  laying  out 
the  said  new  street  be  discontinued. 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant  viz .  —  whether  the  Town  will  sell  a 
piece  of  Land,  bounded  on  Pleasant  street  near  the  Rope  walks ; 
read  —  whereupon 

Voted  that  the  Honble :  Tho8.  Dawes  Esqr. 

Mr.  Ebenr.  Seaver 

Major  May 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  article  and  report  at  the  adjourn- 
ment. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1795.  415 

The  Article  in  the  warrant  viz*.  — whether  the  Town  will  con- 
sider their  late  Vote  respecting  the  removal  of  the  Building  called 
the  Granary  —  read  —  whereupon  Voted  that 
the  Honble.  Thos.  Dawes  Esqr. 
Judge  Minot 
Sam1.  Brown  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  matter,  and  report  thereon  at  the 
adjournment. 

The  article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  certain  incroachments 
made  by  Mr.  Jonas  Welsh  on  the  mill  creek  was  read,  — where- 
upon it  was  moved  and  Voted,  that  this  matter  be  referred  to  the 
[498.]  Gentlemen  Selectmen  to  consider  and  act  thereon  as  they 
may  judge  proper,  as  also  with  respect  to  any  other  incroach- 
ments on  the  Town's  lands,  which  may  come  to  their  knowledge.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  Monday  next,  being  the 
14th.  ins*.  — 10  °Clock  A.  M. 

Monday  14th.  December,  10  °Clock  A.  M.  —  met  according  to 
adjournment. 

Voted,  that  Herman  Brimmer  Esqr. 

Sam1.  Brown  Esqr. 

Joseph  Russell  Esqr. 
be  and  hereby  ai*e  appointed  a  Committee  to  examine  the  Books, 
and  accounts  of  the  late  Treasurer  Mr.  Joseph  Russell,  and  report 
the  state  thereof  at  the    adjournment,   the    28th.   of   December 


The  Article  in  the  warrant  relative  to  a  further  supply  of  the 
Treasury,  was  considered,  —  whereupon  it  was  moved  and  Voted, 
that  the  further  consideration  of  this  matter  be  referred  to  the 
adjournment.  — 

The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  article  in  the  warrant 
viz.  — whether  the  Town  will  reconsider  the  late  Vote  respecting 
the  removal  of  the  Building  called  the  Granary,  —  have  attended 
that  service,  and  report  as  their  opinion  that  the  Town  reconsider 
the  said  Vote,  and  that  they  give  order  for  the  sale  of  the  said 
Building  at  public  Auction  [to]  be  remov'd  in  a  short  time.  — 
which  is  submitted 

Thos.  Dawes  pr.  order. 

The  above  report  having  been  read.  —  the  question  was  put, 
viz*,  whether  the  report  shall  be  accepted,  —  passed  in  the  affirma- 
tive. — 

[499.]  The  Committee  appointed  to  consider  the  article  in 
the  warrant,  —  "  Whether  the  Town  will  sell   a  piece  of  Land 


416  City  Document. 

bounded  on  Pleasant  street,  near  the  Rope  walks, — have 
attended  that  service  and  are  unanimously  of  the  opinion  that 
it  will  be  very  prejudicial  to  the  Town  to  make  sale  of  the  said 
Land,  — which  is  submitted.  — 

Thos.  Dawes  pr.  order. 

The  aforegoing  Report,  after  reading,  was  accepted  by  the 
Town. 

The  Selectmen  laid  before  the  Town  the  Proposals  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  the  Roxbury  canal  proprietors,  for  the  purchase  of  a 
small  piece  of  marsh  on  the  neck,  — whereupon 

Voted,  that  this  matter  be  referred  to  March  meeting  for  con- 
sideration. — 

This  meeting  adjourned  to  Monday  the  28th.  day  of  Decr.  ins*.  — 
10  °Clock  A.  M. 

Monday  December  28,  1795.  met  according  to  adjournment 

The  Committee  for  relief  of  Sufferers  by  the  Fire  in  Boston 
July  30,  1794.  — Reported  to  the  Town  by  their  Chairman  James 
Sullivan  Esq1'.  —  the  amount  of  money  collected  &  to  whom  dis- 
tributed ;  &  the  same  being  read,  on  motion  Voted,  —  that  the 
said  report  is  approved  by  the  town,  &  that  their  thanks  be  & 
hereby  are  given  to  the  Committee  on  that  Business  for  their  good 
services  therein ;  Mem0.  —  this  report  is  placed  in  the  chest  which 
contains  other  reports  relative  to  Fires  in  this  Town.  — 

[500.]  The  Committee  for  examining  the  late  Town  Treas- 
urers accounts,  &  papers,  reported,  &  have  leave  to  report  again, 
—  at  the  adjournment  of  this  meeting  also 

Voted,  that  the  Town  Treasurer  be  &  he  hereby  is  authorized 
&  empower'd  to  borrow  of  either  of  the  Banks  or  otherwise,  a 
sum  not  exceeding  6000  Dollars,  for  the  present  supply  of  the 
Town  Treasury,  to  be  repaid  out  of  the  outstanding  taxes,  on  or 
before  the  first  day  of  May  next. 

Then  the  meeting  was  adjourned  to  Monday  this  day  Month. — 

1796 
[Jan  25th.]  Monday  10  °Clock,  Met,  according  to  adjournment, 

Col0.  Dawes,  the  Moderator  of  this  meeting,  being  absent 
Deacon  William  Boardman 
was  chosen  Moderator  P.  T.  by  a  Hand  Vote. 

The  Town  being  informed  by  the  Town  Treasurer  that  the 
Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  Books  &  Papers  of  the  late 
Treasurer,  would  not  be  able  to  report  until  March  meeting 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  417 

Voted,  That  all  matters  unfinished  be  referred  over  unto  next 
March  meeting.  — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved. 


[501.]  At  a  meeting  of  the  Freeholders  &  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  &  legally  warned, 
at  Public  Town  meeting  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall  on  Tuesday 
the  9th.  clay  of  February  A.  D.  1796.  —  10  °Clock  A.  M. 

Warrant  for  calling  meeting read.  — 

Col0.  Crafts 
chosen  Moderator  of  this  meeting,  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 

The  article  in  the  Warrant,  viz  —  "To  take  into  consideration 
the  petition  of  Robert  Pierpont  in  behalf  of  himself  &  others,  his 
associates,  to  the  General  Court  of  this  Commonwealth,  praying 
for  an  act  of  Incorporation,  to  enable  them  to  build  a  Bridge 
from  the  lands  at  the  bottom  of  the  Common,  or  Pleasant  street, 
in  this  town,  to  the  lands  owned  by  Mrs.  Hannah  Pierpont,  in 
Roxbury,  or  to  the  point  called  Sewalls  point,  in  Brookline"  — 
was  read,  &  after  considerable  debate  had  thereon, 

It  was  moved,  That  a  Committee  be  appointed  to  oppose  the 
granting  of  the  Prayer  of  the  Petition  &  that  the  Representatives 
be  instructed  to  assist  therein.  — 

The  Question  being  put  passed  in  the  negative.  — 

It  was  then  moved,  —  That  the  following  vote  be  passed,  viz. 
—  That  the  Town  do  not  think  proper  to  interfere,  &  that  they 
have  no  objection  to  the  Prayer  of  the  Petitioner  being  granted . — 

The  Question  being  accordingly  put  passed  in  the  affirmative. — 

Then  the  meeting  was 
dissolved 


[503.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabi- 
tants of  the  Town  of  Boston,  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in 
Public  Town  meeting,  assembled  at  Faneuil  —  Hall,  on  Monday 
the  14  day  of  March,  Anno  Domini  1796.  —  10  °Clock  A.  M.  — 

Prayer  made  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  Kirkland  — 

Warrant  for  calling  meeting  —  read.  — 


418  City  Document. 

Sundry  Laws  to  be  read  at  this  meeting, 
were  accordingly  read.  — 

The  Hon.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 
was  chosen  Moderator,  by  a  hand  Vote.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  then  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in 
their  Votes  for  a  Town  Clerk,  and  the  same  having  been  brought 
in  and  counted,  it  appeared  that 

William  Cooper 
was  chosen  Town  Clerk  for  the  year  ensuing,  and  an  oath  of 
office  was  administered  to  him,  by  Mr.  Justice  Crafts.  — 

The  Inhabitants  were  directed  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their 
Votes  for  nine  Selectmen,  and  upon  sorting  them  it  appeared 
that  the  following  Gentlemen,  viz. 

Ezekiel  Price  Esqr. 

Thomas  Walley 

Deacon  William  Boardman 

Mr.  Ebenezer  Sever 

Thomas  Crafts  Esqr. 

Thomas  Edwards  Esq. 

William  Little 

David  Tilden  Esq. 

Russell  Sturgis  Esq. 
were  chosen  Select-men  for  the  year  ensuing.  — 

The  Inhabitants  having  brought  in  their  Votes  [503.]  for 
twelve  overseers  of  the  Poor,  on  counting  and  sorting  the  same, 
it  appeared  that 

Edward  Procter  Esq. 

John  Sweetser  Esq. 

Jona.  L.  Austin  Esq. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Henry  Hills  Esqr. 

John  Codman  Esq.      resigned 

Mr.  William  Smith 

William  Phillips  jr.  Esq. 

Stephen  Gorham  Esq. 

Mr.  Oliver  Brewster 

Arnold  Wells  jr. 

Dr.  Bedford  Webster 
were  chosen  Overseers  of  the  Poor,  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Mr.  Samuel  Clap 
chosen  Town  Treasurer,  for  the  year  ensuing,  by  a  unanimous 
Vote,  and  the  oaths  of  Office  administered  to  him  by  the  Town 
Clerk.  — 

Voted  that  the  Town-Treasurer  give  Bond,  with  Securities  to 


Boston  Town  Recoeds,  1796.  419 

the  Satisfaction  of  the  Selectmen,  in  the  Penalty  of  ten  thousand 
Pounds,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  Duties  of  his  office. 

The  Inhabitants,  having  as  Directed,  brought  in  their  Votes, 
for  Sixteen  firewards,  the  same  having  been  counted  and  sorted, 
it  appeared  that 

John  Winthrop  Esq. 

Thomas  Melville  Esq. 

Jabez  Hatch  Esq. 

Joseph  Russell  Jr.  Esq. 

Mr.  Edward  Edes 

Amasa  Davis  Esq. 

Samuel  Parkman 
[504.]  Mr.  Russell  Sturgis 

Henry  Jackson  Esq. 

Cap*.  Mungo  Mackey 

Wm.  Scolley  Esquire 

Wm.  Little  Esquire 

Mr.  James  Tisdale 

Joseph  May  Esquire 

Cap*.  Robert  Gardner 

Majr.  Andrew  Cunningham 
were  chosen  Firewards  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Votes 

for  a  County  Treasurer  of  the  County  of  Suffolk,  bro't 
in  and  counted  by  the  Moderator  and  Town-Clerk,  when  it  ap- 
peared that  the  whole  number  was  288.  of  which  202  were  for 
Mr.  Samuel  Clap,  81  for  Mr.  Benf.  Hammett,  and  5  for  Mr. 
William  Alline,  all  discreet,  suitable  Persons,  being  Freeholders 
&  Residents  in  sd.  County. 

Votes 

for  a  Register  of  Deeds  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
brought  in  and  counted  by  the  Moderator  and  Town  Clerk,  when 
it  appeared  that  the  whole  number  was  398  —  and  all  of  them  for 
Mr.  William  Alline,  a  discreet  suitable  Person,  being  a  Freeholder 
and  a  Resident  in  said  County ; 

Adjourned  to  3  oClock  P.  M.  — 

3  o'Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  Adjournment 

John  Codman  Esq.  having  declined  serving  as  an  Overseer  of 
the  Poor.  —  He  had  the  thanks  of  the  Town  for  his  good  services 
in  that  Office  for  a  number  of  years  past. 

[505.]  On  Motion,  Voted  that  the  choice  of  an  overseer  of 
the  Poor  in  Mr.  Codmans  room  be  referred  to  the  adjourn*. 


420  City  Document. 

Messrs.  Shubael  Hewes 

Benjamin  Thomas 
Samuel  White 
Enoch  May 
John  Cade 
John  Bosson 
Thomas  Stevenson 
Thomas  Tenant 
Amos  Lewis 
Benjamin  Johnson 
were  chosen  Constables  for  the  year  ensuing. 

The  Consideration  of  all  Money  matters  referred  to  May  Meet- 
ing. 

Voted  that  in  Addition  to  the  Selectmen,  twelve  Persons  shall 
now  be  chosen  as  a  School  Committee  —  And  the  Votes  being 
brought  in,  counted  and  sorted  —  it  appeared  that  the  following 
Gentlemen  were  chosen,  viz. 

Hon.  Thomas  Dawes  Esq. 

Revd.  Samuel  West 

Revd.  John  Lathrop  D.  D. 

Jona.  L.  Austin  Esq. 

Wm.  Tudor  Esq. 

Dr.  Thomas  Welch 

Revd.  Sam1.  Stillmau  D.  D. 

Hon.  Geo.  Richard  Minot  Esq. 

Dr.  David  Townsend 

Dr.  Aaron  Dexter 

Mr.  Wm.  Smith 

Dr.  William  Spooner 

[506.]  Voted  that  the  above  named  Gentlemen,  who  con- 
junctly with  the  Selectmen,  are  termed  the  School-Committee,  be 
and  hereby  are  directed  to  carry  the  new  System  of  Education, 
which  has  been  adopted  by  the  Town,  into  operation,  and  sd. 
Committee  are  also  authorized  and  irnpowered,  conjunctly  to 
manage  and  regulate  the  Officers  and  Government  of  the  Schools, 
and  in  future  to  exercise  all  the  Powers  relating  to  the  Schools, 
and  School-Masters,  which  the  Select-men,  or  such  Committees 
are  authorized  by  the  Laws  of  the  Commonwealth,  or  the  Votes 
of  the  Town  to  exercise,  any  former  Votes  of  the  Town  notwith- 
standing. 

Voted  that  Herman  Brimmer 
Joseph  Russell  jr. 
Samuel  Brown  Esqr. 
be,  and  hereby  are  appointed  a  Committee  to  audit  the  accounts 
of  the  Town  Treasurer,  and  also  the  Accounts  of  the  Select-men, 
and  Over-Seers  of  the  Poor,  and  said  Committee  are  also  directed 
to  report  the  sum  necessary  to  be  raised,  for  the  Services  of  the 
present  year. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  421 

Voted  that  the  Assessors  be  and  hereby  are  directed  to  sit  for 
such  Abatements  of  Taxes  as  they  shall  judge  reasonable,  two 
days  in  each  week ;  after  the  delivery  of  the  Tax  Books,  to  the 
Collectors  for  the  space  of  six  weeks,  and  no  longer,  saving  they 
be  allowed  to  sit  the  last  week  in  February,  Lord's  day  excepted, 
for  the  abatement  of  ye.  Taxes  of  such  Persons  as  had  Not  the 
opportunity  of  applying  in  the  above  limited  time,  by  reason  of 
their  being  out  of  this  Com [507.] monwealth,  or  any  other  un- 
avoidable hindrances,  and  that  the  Assessors  determine  on  the 
said  two  days,  which  is  to  be  noted  on  the  Tax-bills,  to  be  de- 
livered the  Inhabitants. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  5  Assessors,  it  appeared  that 
only  the  four  following  Gentlemen  were  chosen,  viz. 
Giles  Harris  Esqr. 
Samuel  Ruggles  Esqr. 
Mr.  John  R.  Sigorney 
Mr.  Caleb  Blanchard 

Adjourned  to  to  morrow,  10  o' Clock  A.  M. 

Tuesday  10.  o'Clock  A.  M.  Met 
according  to  Adjournment. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  one  Assessor  it  appeared 
that, 

Mr.  Thomas  Hitchbourn 
was  chosen  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Wm.  Tuder  and  Jonathan  Loring  Austin  Esqrs.  having  each  of 
them  declined,  serving  in  the  School  Comee.  they  had  each  of 
them,  the  thanks  of  the  Town,  for  their  Good  Services  in  that 
important  trust,  for  some  years  past. 

Voted  that  5  P  Cfc.  be  and  hereby  is  allowed  to  the  Collectors 
of  Taxes  for  the  year  ensuing,  for  all  such  sums  of  money  and 
public  Securities,  as  they  shall  collect  and  pay  into  the  [508.] 
several  Treasurers  of  the  sums  committed  to  them  to  collect  — 
Also  that  such  Collectors  shall  give  Bond  with  sufficient  Sureties, 
to  the  satisfaction  of  the  Select-men,  for  the  faithful  discharge  of 
their  Duty  in  said  Office,  and  complying  with  this  Vote,  and  that 
they  will  not  receive  any  Premium  or  Gratuity,  for  discharging 
any  Orders,  Notes  or  Receipts  from  the  Treasurer  of  this  State 
or  the  Treasurer  of  this  Town. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  four  Collectors  of  Taxes,  it 
appeared  that 

Benjamin  Henderson 
Messrs.  Thomas  Bayley 
James  Thompson 
Benjamin  Jepson 
were  chosen  Collectors  of  Taxes,  for  the  year  ensuing. 


422  City  Document. 

Samuel  Jones 
Thomas  Thompson 
Amos  Whitney 
Messrs.  Thomas  Walley  jr. 
William  Turner 
William  Waiter 
David  West 
Joseph  Foster 
Charles  Miller  jr. 
John  F.  Loring 
Stoddard  Capen 
John  Grore  jr. 
were  chosen  Clerks  of  the  Market,  the  ensuing  year.  — 

[509.]  Joshua  Bentley 

John  Champney 

Benjamin  Page 

John  Cogswell 

Benjamin  White 
Mess-  Thomas  Sherburn 

James  Blake 

James  Robins 

Edmund  Ranger 

William  Clouston 

William  Darricot 

Nath1.  Tidmarsh 
were  chosen   Surveyors   of   Boards,    Shingles,    for   the  ensuing 
year.  — 

The  Selectmen 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  highways  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Mr.  Abraham  Adams 
was  chosen  informer  of  Deer,  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Benjamin  White 
Mess^  Moses  Ayers 
Thomas  Rice 
were  chosen  fence  Viewers  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Thomas  Bradley 
David  Holies 
Mess-  Matthew  Loring 
William  Billings 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  Leather,  for  the  ensuing  year 

[510.]  Jeffry  Richardson 

Mess^  Isaac  Davis 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Hemp  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Jirah  Holbrook 
Cap*.  Jos.  Gleason 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  423 

Mess^  William  Jennings 

Thomas  Boiler  [Bolter?] 
Isaac  Tuckerman 
were  chosen  Sealers  of  Wood,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Edward  Jones 
Mess^  Richard  Housefall 
Francis  Booth 
were  chosen  Haywards  for  the  ensuing  year. 

George  Connell 
Mess1*  Daniel  Bell 
were  chosen  Hog-reeves  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Joshua  Weatherly 
Mess£§  John  Wells 
were  chosen  Assay  Masters,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Edward  Tuckerman  Esq. 
Mr.  Edward  Edes 
were  chosen  Surveyors  of  Wheat,  for  the  ensuing  year. 

Mr.  Edward  Rumley 
was  chosen  Inspector  of  Stone-Lime. 

[511.]  Roger  Barlett 

Mess-  Joseph  Doble 
David  Brace 
were  chosen  Cullers  of  Dry  Fish,  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Joseph  Loring 
Thomas  Barber 
George  Singleton 
Edward  Burt 
Thomas  Foster 
William  Parkin  an 
Mess-  John  Bray 

Henry  Purkitt 
Jonathan  Cushing 
James  Barry 
Hezekiah  Hutson 
Philip  Hitchbourn 
Joseph  W  bittern  ore 
were  chosen  Cullers  of  Staves  and  Hoops,  for  the  year  ensuing. 

The  Petition  of  the  Collectors,  for  an  allowance  on  Account  of 
the  rise  of  Provisions  was  read  —  and  committed  to 
Herman  Brimmer 
Joseph  Russell 
Samuel  Brown  Esq^§ 
to  consider  and  report  thereon  — 


424  City  Document. 

[512.]  The  Petition  of  James  Tlrwing,  relative  to  an  allow- 
ance for  a  loss  occasioned  by  the  detention  of  land  —  read  and 
committed  to 

Joseph  Russell  Esq. 

William  Tuder  Esq. 

Dr.  Nathaniel  Hall 

John  Sweetser  Esq. 

Mr.  John  Tilestone 
to  consider  and  report  thereon. 

The  Petition  relative  to  a  ten  feet  Passageway  —  read  and  re- 
ferred to  the  above  Committee 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant,  viz.  "that  orders  be  taken  to 
ascertain  the  right  of  the  Town  to  the  flatts  in  the  several  parts 
of  the  Town"  —  read  and  referred  to  the  Select-men,  to  act 
thereon. 

The  Article  relative  to  the  North  burying-ground  —  read  and 
referred  over  to  May  Meeting. 

On  a  Motion  made  by  Col0.  Dawes  and  seconded  by  Thomas 
Edwards  Esquire  — 

Voted  that  the  Town  Clerk  be,  and  he  hereby  is  directed  to 
cause  the  Act,  passed  11th.  February  1794.  "entitled  an  act  as 
containing  what  shall  constitute  a  legal  Settlement  of  any  per- 
son in  any  Town  or  District  within  this  Commonwealth,  so  as  to 
enable  him  to  a  Support  therein,  in  case  he  becomes  poor  and 
stands  in  need  of  Relief,  and  for  [513.]  repealing  all  Laws 
hitherto  made,  respecting  such  Settlements"  —  Also  a  Resolve 
passed  Feby.  27th  1796,  giving  directions  to  the  Overseers  of  the 
Poor  and  Select-men,  relative  to  Paupers,  to  be  wrote  or  printed, 
and  put  into  a  Frame  &  to  be  kept  constantly  hanging  on  the 
Selectmen's  Room,  and  the  Room  inhabited  by  the  keeper  of  the 
Alms-house  and  Work-house,  in  order  to  answer  the  purposes  for 
which  said  Act  and  Resolve  were  passed,  so  far  as  it  concerns 
the  Town  of  Boston 

Adjourned  to  Monday  next,  being  the  twenty  first  Ins*.  10 
o'Clock  A.  M. 

Monday  the  21,  March,  10  o'Clock  A.  M.  Met  according  to 
Adjournment. 

Dr.  Lothrop  as  one  of  the  School  Comee.  having  declined 
serving  —  received  the  thanks  of  the  Town,  for  his  good  service, 
in  that  trust. 

On  Motion,  Voted  that  the  thanks  of  the  Town  be,  and  hereby 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  425 

are  given  unto  Col0.  William  Scolley,  for  his  good  Services,  as  a 
Select-man,  a  number  of  years  past. 

Mr.  Thomas  Perkins 
had  a  majority  of  Votes,  for  an  Overseer  of   the  Poor,  in  the 
room  of  Mr.  Codman,  who  has  resigned  that  Office. 

[514.]  The  Committee  on  the  Petition  relative  to  a  ten  feet 
Passage  way,  reported  —  whereupon  it  was  moved  and  passed 
that  the  same  be  recommitted,  to  report  at  May  meeting. 

Mr.  Arnold  Wells  jr. 

Mr.  Joseph  Crocker 

William  Eustis  Esq. 
had  a  majority  of  Votes,  brought  in  for  three  School  Com??  men, 
in  the  room  of  three  others,  who  had  resigned. 

Benjamin  Johnson  excused  by  the  Town  from  serving  in  the 
Office  of  Constable. 

John  Kenedy 
MessS?.  Jirah  Holbrook 
chosen  Constables  for  the  year  ensuing. 

Voted  that  all  matters  and  things  which  shall  remain  unfin- 
ished, at  this  meeting,  be  referr'd  over  to  the  May  Meeting. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  examine  the  late  Treasurer  Rus- 
sell's books  and  accounts,  report  that  there  appears  by  the  books, 
to  be  due  from  the  Town  13493  Dollars  8  Cents.  2  mills,  to  wit. 


To  Aaron  Blaney     - 

-    £25. 

Langdon's  Heirs-     - 

-£548,,    0  ,, 

11 

old  Notes  Ezekiel  Price  Esq.    - 

-    220  ,,  15  ,, 

4 

Benja.  Parker-     -     - 

-    463,,     5  — 

Elizabeth  Partridge  - 

-     237,,  12  „ 

6 

>15.]         Jona.  White    -     -     - 

-    202,,     1  ,, 

8 

Sarah  Atkins  -     -     - 

-    300  — 

Select-men      -     -     - 

-    369  — 

Clough 

4 

old  Notes 

Edwd.  Procter - 

—     100 

John  White     -     -     - 

51  ,,     6  ,, 

1 

Benja.  Waldo       -     - 

-    800  — 

Edward  Procter  -     - 

-    210  — 

3500  ,,     2  ,,  11    $11667.56 


Unpaid  on  Select  men's  Drafts 
July  1795.     Thomas  Davis    -     -    £6  ,,    9  ,,  0 
Estate.  John  Gray  -    32  ,,-   2  — 


426 


City  Document. 


Thomas  Dawes  - 

-       9  — 

Widow  Low  - 

-       4,,  10  — 

Gt.  Blanchard    - 

-      8  — 

L.  Clouston  -     - 

-     15  — 

S.  V.  Savage 

-    12  — 

S.  Dillaway   -     - 

-      7„10  — 

£94  ,,  11  ,,  0 

October.     Thomas  Mayo 

Estate  of  Jos.  Russell  ) 
late  Treasurer —        j 


115  ,,  16 


There  also  appears  due  to  the  Town 


111461  ,,  58  .  2 


viz.  Town  Powder 


$1041   .   95   .  5 


Geo.  Makepeace    - 
Andrew  Tukesbury 
Ephraim  Brown 
Peirce  &  Wheeler  - 
Amount   of   Int. 
paid  in  part.  Int. 
due  on  Notes 


549 

134 

41 

12 


32 
32 
11 
50 


287  ,,  13 


[516.] 

For  Rents  —  John  Meriam    - 

-        £9  ,,    0  „0 

Jona.  Windship 

-        10  „  12  ,,6 

Jesse  Houghton 

4  — 

» 

Amos  Windship 

3  — 

Seba  Hews 

„12  — 

Jona.  Towle 

1  „    4  — 

Elizabeth  Boyer 

7„10  — 

M.  Fessington  - 

6  „    7„6 

$141. 

£42  ,,     6  — 

From  the  Collectors 

Thos.  Bayley     - 

c .         m . 

-  $2522   .   81   .  9 

Benja.  Henderson 

-     1755  ,,  90  ,,  9 

Benja.  Jepson   - 

—        j-'Jr)l     •■         —     f  ^     V 

James  Thompson 

-    2424  .   19  ,,  7 

$9253  ,, 

95  .  1 

1 

£11461  . 

c.      m. 

58  .  2 

To  which  must  be  added  — 

Abatements  on  1794  Tax 
Collector's  Premiums 
Interest  due  on  Notes 
Bad  Debts  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  427 

The  foregoing  your  Committee  thinks  is  a  true  state  of  the 
Town's  affairs  —  the  last  Tax  is  not  entered  in  Mr.  Russell's 
books  —  on  the  annexed  sheet  is  the  late  Town  Treasurer's 
general  Account  and  a  tryal  ballance  of  his  books  —  this  Report 
is  respectfully  submitted  — 

Herman  Brimmer 
Boston  March  12.  1796.     Joseph  Russell  f. 

Samuel  Brown 

The  foregoing  Account  having  been  read  and  considered  — 
Voted  that  the  same  be  accepted 

Voted  that  the  Thanks  of  the  Town  be  and  hereby  is  given  to 
the  Hon.  Thomas  Crafts  Esqr.  Moderator,  for  his  good  services  — 
The  meeting  was  dissolved  — 

[517.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Male  Inhabitants  of  the  Town  of 
Boston,  of  twenty  one  years  of  age  and  upwards,  qualified  as  the 
Constitution  prescribes,  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town  meet- 
ing, assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Monday  the  4th.  day  of  April, 
Anno  Domini  1796  —  9  o'Clock  A.M.— 

Prayer  by  the  Revd.  Mr.  West 

Warrant  for  calling  meeting  read  — 

Paragraph  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Government  relative 
to  the  choice  of  Governor  IA  Governor  &  Senators  —  read  — 

It  was  then  declared  by  the  Selectmen,  that  no  Vote  would  be 
received,  but  such  as  were  unfolded,  and  that  they  propose  the 
Poll  shall  be  closed,  at  half  past  one  O'Clock  —  the  Votes  to  be 
received  at  the  Table,  and  the  Bells  to  begin  tolling  at  one 
o'Clock. 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Governor,  with  the  number  of  Votes 
for  each  person. 

Votes 

viz.  His  Excellency  Samuel  Adams  Esquire  -     -     -  1614 

Hon.  Increase  Sumner  Esq. 848 

Mr.  Sampson  Reed 1 

Hon.  Edward  Robins 1 

Persons  Voted  for  as  IA  Governor,  with  the  number  of 
Votes,  for  each  person  —  viz. 

Votes 

His  Hon.  Moses  Gill  Esq. 2431 

[518.]     Honble.  Thomas  Russell  Esqr. 3 

Mr.  Adam  Colson 1 

Hon.  James  Warren 2 

Hon.  Elbridge  Gerry  Esq. 2 

Cap*.  Moses  Wallack 1 

Hon.  Nathaniel  Gorham  Esq. -         1 


428  City  Document. 

Persons  Voted  for  as  Senators,  for  the  County  of  Suffolk, 
with  a  number  of  Votes  for  each  Person,  viz. 

Hon.  Thomas  Dawes  Esq.  -------  2404 

Hon.  Oliver  Wendell  Esq. 2380 

Hon.  Benja.  Austin  Jr.  Esq. 1544 

Hon.  John  C.  Jones  Esq.    -------     949 

Wm.  Eustis  Esq. 1513 

Theophilus  Cushing  Esq. 937 

Stephen  Gorharn  Esq.     -     -     -     -     -     -  1 

Charles  Cushing  Esq. 4 

Jona.  Mason  Esq. 1 

John  Sweetser  Esq. 2 

Hon.  James  Bowdoin  Esq.       ------  l 

Arnold  Wells  Esq. 2 

Hon.  Stephen  Higginson  Esq.       -----         1 

Cap*.  Lemuel  Gardner   - 2 

Mr.  John  Magnor 2 

Mr.  John  Duggan      - 2 

Hon.  Wm.  Tuder  Esqr.  -     -     - 3 

Samuel  Brown  Esq.   -------         2 

Thomas  Edwards  Esq. 1 

Geo.  Blake  Esq. 1 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq. 11 

Attested  Copies  of  the  Persons  voted  for  [for]   Governor  IA 
Governor  and  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  were  [519.] 
committed  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Commonwealth  and  in  the  In- 
closure  sealed  up  in  Town-meeting  —  Subscribed  as  follows  viz. 
For  John  Avery  Esqr. 

Secretary  for  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts 

The  number  of  Votes  of  the  Town  of  Boston  for  a  Governor  L*. 
Governor  &  4  Senators  for  the  County  of  Suffolk  certified  within 
and  sealed  up  in  town  meeting 

Then  the  Meeting  was  dissolved. 

[520.]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants 
of  the  Town  of  Boston,  in  public  Town  Meeting,  Assembled  at 
Faneuil  Hall,  on  Monday  the  25th  day  of  April  A.  D.  1796  ten 
O'Clock  A.  M. 

Warrant  for  calling  meeting  —  read. 

Hon.  Thomas  Dawes  Esq1, 
chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote. 

On  Motion  adjourned  to  old- South-Church  the  number  being 
more  than  the  Hall  could  hold 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  429 

Met  at  old  South-Church  —  when  the  Warrant  for  calling  the 
Meeting  was  read,  as  also  the  Petition  to  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, say  memorial  in  Congress,  &  after  considerable  debate, 
a  Motion  was  made  by  Dr.  Warren,  that  the  question  upon  the 
memorial,  be  taken,  and  being  called  for  from  every  quarter  of 
the  World  —  Another  motion  was  made  by  Dr.  Jarvis,  that  the 
Question  be  postponed  till  4  oClock  in  the  after-noon  and  be  then 
taken  up  by  yeas  and  nays,  upon  which,  previous  motion  was  then 
made,  that  the  Question,  be  viz.  Whether  the  Question  upon  the 
memorial  be  now  taken,  which  was  put,  and  passed  in  the  affirm- 
ative by  a  very  great  majority — then  the  motion  of  Dr.  Warren 
was  put  viz.  that  the  Town  do  approve  of  the  object  and  senti- 
ments contained  in  the  memorial  [521.]  which  has  been  read 
and  referred  to  in  the  Memorial,  and  now  before  them  —  which 
passed  in  the  affirmative  by  a  very  great  majority  — 

Then  the  Meeting  was  dissolved  — 

At  a  Meeting  of  the  Freeholders  and  other  Inhabitants  of  the 
Town  of  Boston  duly  qualified  and  legally  warned  in  public  Town 
meeting,  assembled  at  Faneuil  Hall,  on  Wednesday  the  11th  day 
of  May,  Anno  Domini  1796  —  10  oClock  A.M.— 

Prayer  was  made  by  Revd.  Dr.  Stillman  — 

Warrant  for  calling  the  Meeting  —  read  — 

That  part  of  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of  Government  which 
relates  to  the  Choice  of  Representatives     -     -     -     read     -     -     . 

Sunday  Laws  to  be  read  at  said  Meeting  were  accordingly,  or 
parts  of  them  read  — 

The  Town  having  determined  by  a  Vote  to  chose  seven  Repre- 
sentatives to  Represent  them  in  the  General  Court  of  Massachu- 
setts, to  be  held  in  the  State-house  in  Boston,  on  the  last  Wednes- 
day of  May  Current  agreeably  to  the  Constitution  or  Frame  of 
Government  [522.']  for  Massachusetts  —  the  Inhabitants  were 
directed  by  the  Select-men,  to  withdraw,  and  bring  in  their  Votes 
for  Seven  Representatives,  and  then  it  was  declared  by  the  Select- 
men, that  no  Votes  would  be  received,  but  such  as  are  unfolded, 
&  that  they  intend  the  Poll  shall  be  closed  at  half  past  1  o 'Clock 
—  the  bell  to  begin  tolling  at  one  o'Clock. 

The  assessors  to  attend,  at  the  Delivery  of  Votes  — 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  seven  Representatives,  the  num- 
ber of  the  same,  were  found  to  be  2103,  and  upon  sorting  them, 
it  appeared  that  the  following  Seven  Gentlemen  had  obtained  a 
Majority  of  Votes  —  viz. 


430  City  Document. 

Jonathan  Mason  Esq. 2053 

William  Eustis  Esq.    ------  2067 

William  Little  Esq. 2068 

John  Codman  Esq. 1317 

Joseph  Russell  Esq. 1324 

Harrison  Gray  Otis  Esq 1306 

Samuel  Cooper  Esq 1224 

Votes  of  those  not  chosen 

Thomas  Edwards  Esq. 798 

Perez  Morton  Esq 765 

Thomas  Crafts  Esq 751 

George  Blake  Esq 767 

Arnold  Wells 10 

John  Duggan 11 

John  Magnor 11 

William  Smith 24 

Samuel  Brown  Esq. 19 

[523.]                    Samuel  Parkman  Esq. 2 

Aaron  Dexter  Esq.     ------  2 

John  C.  Jones  Esq. 4 

William  Brown 3 

Jona.  L.  Austin 2 

Heniy  Jackson  Esq. 1 

Nath1.  Fellows -■  3 

Russell  Sturgis  Esq. 2 

Charles  Jarvis  Esq. 8 

Samuel  Eliot 5 

Joseph  Eaton __.  2 

Samuel  Adams 2 

John  Andrews 1 

John  Warren  Esq. 1 

John  Sweetser  Esq. 3 

Ebenezer  Parsons 2 

William  Parsons 6 

Stephen  Higginson 5 

Dr.  Welch -  i 

Adam  Colson '   -     -  2 

David  Green --  2 

Stephen  Gorham 2 

William  Tuder  Esq. 1 

Theodore  Lyman 1 

Oliver  Smith     - 1 

J.  B.  Sohier 1 

Adjourned  to  5  o'Clock  P.  M. 

5  O'Clock  P.  M.  met  according  to  adjournment  — 

Hon.  Thomas  Crafts  Esq. 
chosen  Moderator  — 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  431 

[524.]  Col0.  Crafts  having  excused  himself  from  serving  as 
Moderator  — 

Jonathan  Mason  Esq. 

chosen  Moderator  by  a  hand  Vote. 
The  Committee  to  audit  Town  Treasurer's  accS  reported,  which 
Report  is  to  be  taken  up  at  the  adjournment  — 

The  Petition  of  ME!  Lois  Clouston,  "  that  the  Town  will  make 
her  further  compensation  for  loss  sustained  by  the  fire  in  July 
1794  "  read —  as  also  the  Petition  of  Mr.  James  Tate  of  the  like 
nature,  whereupon, 

Voted  that  Mr.  Jona.  L.  Austin  Esq. 

Joseph  May  Esq. 

Elisha  Sigorney 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  these  Petitions,  and  Report  thereon 
to  the  Town  as  soon  as  may  be  — 

The  Petition  of  a  number  of  the  Inhabitants  "  that  the  Pump 
in  Corn- hill  may  be  removed  to  some  more  convenient  place " 
read  —  whereupon 

Voted,  that  this  matter  be  referred  to  the  Select-men,  they  to 
report  thereon  — 

The  article  in  the  Warrant,  viz.  Whether  the  Town  Treasurer 
shall  be  directed  to  call  upon  Mr.  George  Makepeace  for  the  sum 
he  stands  charged  for  on  the  \_52i5.~]  town  Treasurers  books  " — 
read,  whereupon 

Voted  that  Herman  Brimmer  Esq. 

Jos.  Russell  Esq. 

Samuel  Brown  Esq. 
Committee  to  audit  the  Town  Treasurer's  Accounts,  be  a  Commit- 
tee to  consider  this  matter,  and  Report  thereon  to  the  Town  — 

The  Petition  of  a  number  of  Inhabitants,  relative  to  a  large 
Building  about  to  be  erected  with  Wood,  for  a  New-Theatre,  read 
whereupon,  Voted  that  Dr.  Welsh 

Josiah  Quincey  Esq. 

John  Sweetser 

M1.  Ebenr.  Oliver 

John  Andrews  Esqr. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  this  Petition,  and  report  — 

On  Motion,  Voted  that  the  aforegoing  Vote  be  reconsidered, 
and  the  Petitioners  have  leave  to  withdraw  their  Petition.  — 

Adjourned   to   Friday   next,    the    13th. 
Int.   10  o'Clock  A.  M.  — 


432  City  Document. 

Friday  the  13th  of  May  Int.  10  o'Clock 
A.  M.  met  according  to  Adjourn*. 

The  Votes  being  brought  in  for  four  Constables  as  required  by 
the  Moderator,  on  Ace*.  [526.]  of  the  Resignation  of  those  who 
had  resign'd,  the  same  being  counted  and  sorted,  the  following 
Persons  were  chosen,  viz. 

Abraham  Tuckerman 
Benja.  Thompson 
Mess—.  Samuel  Dow 

Joseph  Ridgway 

The  Article  in  the  Warrant,  viz.  Whether  the  Town  will  recon- 
sider their  late  Vote  for  a  Temporary  Deposit  for  the  dead"  read, 

whereupon  it  was  Voted,  that  the  Vote  be  so  far  reconsidered, 
as  that  the  Select-men  be  directed  to  provide  a  temporary  Deposit 
for  the  dead,  in  such  part  of  the  Common  —  burying  Ground,  as 
they  shall  judge  proper.  — 

The  article  in  the  Warrant,  viz.  "  Whether  the  Town  will  make 
sale  of  a  piece  of  land,  near  fort-hill,  adjoining  the  Land  of  M— 
Quincy"  read,  considered  —  and  whereupon 

Voted,  that  the  Select-men  be  authorized,  and  they  hereby  are 
authorized  &  empowered  to  make  sale  of  said  peice  of  land,  at 
public  auction,  on  the  most  advantageous  manner  for  the  Town. — 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  to  audit  the  Town  Treasurer's 
Accounts  again  taken  up,  and  after  some  debate  thereon,  the 
[527.]  further  consideration  of  the  Report  referred  to  the 
adjournment,  and  on  Motion 

Voted  that  Joseph  Russell  Esq. 
Hon.  James  Bowdoin  Esq. 
William  Eustis  Esq. 
be  a  Committee  to  consider  some  more  efficacious  mode  of  collect- 
ing the  Tax  for  the  future  and  to  report  at  the  adjournment.  — 

Adjourned  to  Friday  next,  being  the 
26.  of  May  Inst.  10  o'Clock  A.  M. 

Friday  May  20th.     10  o'Clock  A.  M. 

met  according  to  adjournment. 

Joseph  Russell  Esq. 
chosen  Moderator  Pro-Tempo,  by  a  hand  Vote,  in  the  Room  of 
Jonathan  Mason  Esq.  now  out  of  Town. 


Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  433 

Mess-Ben ja.  Thompson  & 
Joseph  Ridgway 
excused  from  serving  in  the  office  of  Constable,  to  which  they 
had  been  chosen. 

The  Committee  on  the  article  in  the  Warrant,  viz.  Whether  the 
Town  Treasurer  shall  be  directed  to  call  upon  Mr.  Geo.  Make- 
peace, for  the  sum  he  stands  charged  for  on  the  Town  Treasurer's 
Books  —  Reported,  and  after  debate  had  thereon,  it  was  voted 
that  [52i8*]  upon  M1'.  Makepeace  paying  to  the  Town  Treasurer, 
one  half  of  the  Money  he  stands  indebted  for,  that  the  remaining 
half  of  said  Debt  be  remitted  him,  and  the  Town  Treasurer  is 
authorized  and  empowered  to  give  him  a  discharge  for  the  same. 

Moved  and  voted  that  the  Reports  on  Mrs.  Clouston  and  Mr. 
Tates  Petition,  Mr.  Thwings,  and  the  Petition  relative  to  ten  feet 
passage  way  —  be,  together  with  any  other  matters  remaining 
unfinished  at  this  meeting,  be  referred  over  to  the  next  General 
town  meeting. 

The  Report  on  Collector's  Petition,  being  not  for  making  any 
further  allowance,  as  pray'd  for,  was  upon  reading  and  consider- 
ation thereon,  accepted  by  the  Town. 

The  Committee  Relative  to  a  more  efficacious  mode  of  collect- 
ing Taxes —  Reported,  &  after  some  debate,  the  same  was  recom- 
mitted. 

The  Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  audit  the  Town 
Treasurer's  Accounts  again  taken  up,  considered  and  accepted 
by  the  Town,  and  the  same  is  as  follows.  That  they  find  the 
Accounts  of  the  Town  Treasurer  well  vouched  and  right  cast.  — 
that  there  was  due  to  the  Town,  the  30th  of  April  Ult  —  [529.] 
if  the  outstanding  Debts  would  be  collected  exclusive  of  $17,382.70 
appropriated  for  building  a  new  alms-house  $13, 518. 77c.  4m  — 

Your  Committee  are  of  opinion  the  following  debts  are  doubt- 
ful when,  if  ever  they  will  be  received. 

c    m 

Town's  Powder  $1041.94.5' 

Geo.  Makepeace     -  -     -       549.32 

Ephraiin  Brown  41.11.2 
Purez  [Peirce]  &  Wheeler         12.50 

Account  Int.  771.13.1 

Andrew  Tukesbury  134.32 

Rents  outstanding  84. 


2634.32.8 


To  this    may  be    added    for  ) 

Abatements  &  premiums  to  >-  4000. 

Collectors  on  1795  Tax         ) 


6634.32.8 


,44.6 


434 


City  Document. 


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Boston  Town  Records,  1796.  435 

Overseers  for  their  Drafts _...     15000. 

The  Committee  respectfully  submit  the  foregoing  Report  and 
annex  a  tryal  ballance  of  the  books,  with  the  Treasurer's  general 
account  —  and  further  recommend  that  the  Town  lay  a  Tax  of 
$60,000  to  defray  the  aforegoing  expences  and  discharge  the 
Town's  old  debts.  — 

As  it  appears  to  your  Committee  that  it  can  never  be  done  at 
any  period,  with  more  ease  to  the  Citizens  than  the  present. 

Joseph  Russell 
Samuel  Brown 

In  pursuance  of  the  aforegoing  Report  it  was  Voted  that  the  sum 
of  Sixty  Thousand  Dollars  be  raised  by  a  Tax  to  be  assessed  on 
the  Polls  and  Estates  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Town,  to  defray 
the  expences  of  the  current  year. 

Voted,  that  the  sum  of  six  hundred  66  Dollars  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  Samuel  Clap,  for  his  services  as  Town  Treasurer  the 
present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  in  quarterly  payments,  as 
it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1st.  March  last. 

Voted,  that  the  sum  of  six  hundred  sixty  six  Dollars,  be 
allowed,  and  paid  unto  William  Cooper,  for  his  Services  as  Town 
Clerk,  the  present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  him  quarterly  as  it 
shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  first  of  March  last. 

[531.]  Voted  that  the  sum  of  four  hundred  thirty  three 
Dollars,  be  allowed  each  of  the  assessors  for  their  respective 
Services,  the  present  year,  the  same  to  be  paid  them  quarterly  as 
it  shall  become  due,  and  to  commence  the  1st  of  March  last. 

Voted  that  the  sum  of  six  hundred  Dollars,  be  allowed  and 
paid  unto  Josiah  Waters,  for  his  Services,  as  Officer  of  the  Police 
the  present  year,  to  be  paid  him  quarterly,  as  it  shall  become  due. 

Matters  unfinished  having  been  referred  over  to  the  next  gen- 
eral Town  meeting  — 

The  Meeting  was  dissolved 


[Exd  of  Book  Eight.] 


INDEX 


(437) 


INDEX. 


Abbot,  Samuel,  188, 191. 
Abutters,  66, 104,  108, 116,  118,  164,  167,  176, 
183,  232,  378,  413. 
on  Lynn  street,  341,  342, 344,  345, 
346. 
Accounts,  10,  34,  35, 49,  65, 72, 82,  88, 92,  150, 
186,  224,  230,  237,  240,  274,  293, 
298,  299,  307,  355,  401,  415,  425, 
427,431,435. 
of  collectors,  360,  402. 

overseers  of  the  poor,  9,  30, 
31,32,  57,  103,  138,  147,  164, 
191, 223, 233, 247, 257, 278, 291, 
321,  352,  359,  387,  420. 
selectmen,  31,  164,  191,  247, 
278,  291,  321,  351,  359,  387, 
420. 
town  treasurer,  9,  22,  30,  57, 
61,70,81,  103,  105,  109,  138, 
164,   167,  172,   173,  189,  191, 
197,  198,  223,  233,  247,  257, 
258,  278,  292,  321,  331,  332, 
337,  351,  359,  401,  420,  432, 
433. 
to  audit,  9, 19,  78,  146,  149,  386. 
Act,  embargo,  363. 
excise,  215,  216. 

for  building  with   brick   or  stone, 
79,  372. 
regulating  choice  of  petit  jurors, 
241,  341. 
granting  an  impost,  13,  14. 
of  General  Court,  49. 
passed  Feb.  11,  1794,  424. 
relating  to  widening  streets,  375. 
to  determine  requirements  of  citi- 
zenship, 206. 
incorporate  Boston,  25,  417. 
prevent  stage  play,  266,  267. 

reasons  for  its    repeal, 
268. 
protect  commerce,  347. 
tax,  338. 
Adams,  Abraham,  137, 163,  353, 386,  422. 
Benjamin,  326. 
John  Q.,  273,  284,  314,  339. 
Samuel,  15,  25,  44,  49,  51,  63,  64,  68, 
88,  89,  90,  91,  95,  96,  112,  119,  120, 
124,  125, 133, 134, 137, 144, 145, 148, 
156, 157, 159, 169, 170, 171,  181, 182, 
183, 184,  194, 206,  227, 255,  282, 286, 
326,  357,  392,  393,  427,  430. 
Seth,  353. 
Thomas,  305. 
Address  to  Bowdoin,  James,  125, 126. 
Hancock,  John,  315. 
Washington,    Geo.,    211,    212, 
213. 
reply,  213. 
Agents  for  purchase  of  land,  399. 

to  sell  land,  400. 
Agriculture,  77. 

Allen  (Alline,  Allyne),  Henry,  244,  257, 
263,  264. 
James,  109,180. 
William,  419. 
Almshouse,  30,  98,  132,  243,  251,  252,  282, 
294,  308,   354,  356,  398,  399, 
400,  424. 
annual  expense  of,  141. 

(4J 


Almshouse,  appropriation  for,  141,  201. 

better   accommodations   for 

poor  of,  392,  395,  398. 
deranged  state  of,  354,  356. 
erect  new  buildings  for,  398. 
built  of  brick,  399,  400. 
five  reasons  for  new,  239. 
hospital  for  poor  of,  237,  238, 

239. 
number  in,  239. 
repairs  to,  356. 
sufferiug  of  poor  in,  132,  218. 
ways  for  defraying  expense 
of,  135,  141,  294. 
Ames,  Fisher,  183,  242,  310,  374. 
Amory,  Francis,  277. 
John,  353. 
Jonathan,  278. 
Thomas,  7,  324. 
Andrews,  John,  59,  61,  85,  90,  97,  101,  114, 
115,  119,  123,  133,  161,  185,  217, 
223,  2->4,  226,  306,  323,  430,  431. 
Anniversary  of  the  Independence,  43,  44, 
85,  86,  119, 155, 177, 178,  204, 
236,  262,  301,  339,  365,  405. 
Appleton,  Nathan,  218. 

Nathaniel,  47,  69,  61, 99, 100, 135, 
137,  144,  147, 157,  207,  229,  230, 
320,  351,  411. 
Nathaniel  W.,  211,  219,  246,  281. 
Thomas,  101. 
Application  of  John  May,  188,  202. 
Appropriations  of  money,  33,  34,  35. 
Arms  and  ammunition,  72. 
amount  of,  32. 
fire-arms,  32. 
Army,  standing,  130, 131. 

two  men  for,  30. 
Artillery  company,  118. 
Assay -masters,  choice  of,  8,  56,  103,  138, 
163,  186, 223,  248,  280,  322, 
353,  387,  423. 
Assessment,  schedule  of,  for  land  taken, 

379,  380. 
Assessors,  58,  69,  87,  95,  108,  109,  113,  141, 
176,  188,  202,  203,  220,  247,  24'J, 
274,  278,  285,  287,  292,  321,  334, 

335,  336,  338,  350,  362,  395,  421, 
429. 

abatement  of  taxes,  41,  57, 104, 
108,  111,  143, 165,  187, 188,  203, 
220,  246,  247,  278,  321,  334,  335. 

336,  350,  385,  421. 
abatement    of     Benjamin 

Gray's  taxes,  111. 
allowance,  22,  31,  32,  33,  35,  33, 
57,  70,  85, 107, 136, 150, 165, 188, 
203,  221,  232,  288,  364,  402,  403, 
414,  434,  435. 
choice  of,  8,  9,  36,  58,  101,  136, 
164,  188,  221,  247,  278,  2S1,  323, 
329,  351,  385,  421. 
examine   lists   of    collectors. 

202. 
extra  duties  of,  285. 
Assize  of  bread,  1S2. 
Atkins  (Atkens),  Sarah,  425. 

Silas,  115, 116. 
Attorney,  214,  275,  296,  297,  298. 
Auditors,  report  of,  81,  82. 

39) 


440 


City  Document. 


Austin,  Benjamin,  16, 55,  64,  69, 76, 110, 112, 
145,  170,  195,  227, 242, 255,  273,  282, 
286,  289, 294, 300,  306,  310, 316,  326, 
327,  328, 329, 332,  333, 336,  347,  357, 
362,  392,  393,  406,  428. 
Daniel,  7,250,312,317. 
David,  306. 

Jonathan  L.,  6,  53,  102,  119,  120, 
125,  134,   161,   185,  217,  245,  277, 
282,  319,  320, 350, 351,  384, 388,418, 
420,  421,  430,  431. 
Loring,  318. 
Mr.,  87,  180. 
Nathaniel,  306. 
Samuel,  2,  5, 19,  353. 
Avery,  John,  16,  64, 113,  146,  170,  184,  195, 
228,  255,  287,  311,  316,  326,327,  358, 
374,  393,  428. 
Avis,  Samuel,  190,  222. 
Ayres,  Joseph,  140,  162, 192,  221. 
Moses,  387,  422. 

Baker,  Luke,  221. 

Bulch.  Nathaniel,  42,  286,  306,  411. 

Baldwin,  Luke,  278. 

Rev.  Mr.,  288. 
Ballard,  John,  4,  20,  45,  54,  61,  65,  74,  87, 
101,   134,   161,  187,  190,  23S,  248, 
280,  321,  322. 
Joseph,  11,  102,  140,  162. 
Mr.,  41,88. 
Samuel,  109, 187, 191. 
Bangs,  Samuel,  7,  56, 102, 137, 163,  187,  222, 

377,  380,  381. 
Banks,  400. 

Massachusetts,  397. 
Union,  397. 
Barher,  Nathaniel,  47,  59, 116, 144. 

Thomas,  222,  254, 280,  325,  354,  388, 
423. 
Barrel  (Barrell),  Joseph,  3,  5,  19,  25,  45, 
76,  90,  91,  146,  164,  174, 
188,  210,  227,  240,  286, 
334,  336. 
Barret  (Barrett),  John,  172,  314. 
Mr.,  160,  226. 
Samuel,  12,  59,    74,  80, 
133,  226,  244,  257,   263, 
264. 
Barry,  Charles,  353. 

James,  253,  280,  325,  355,  389,  423. 
Bartlet  (Bartlett),  John,  98. 

Roger,  261,  290,  331,  391, 

423. . 
Thomas,  353. 
Barton,  Samuel,  284.  . 
Bass,  Alden,  354,  387. 

Henry,  54, 101,  134,  161, 190,  282. 

Basset,  Joseph,' 140, 163,  254,  280,  325. 
Bates,  Deacon,  166. 
Batter,  Thomas,  387. 
Katterymarch  street,  repairs  on,  355. 
Battery,  North,  to  sell,  74, 144. 
wreck  near,  202. 
South,  46,  67,  75. 
Wharf,  62,  144, 197. 
Bayley  (Baylay),  James,  108. 

Mr.,  31,  71,  192,  202. 
Thomas,  9,  32,  58,  71,  73, 
81,    82,    110,    135,  149, 
165,  173,  187,  220,  249, 
258,  279,  292,  329,  352, 
360,  374,  378,  381,  388, 
421,  426,  434. 
Beacon  Hill,  59,  70,  132,  143,  154,  ISO,  290, 
293. 
cost  of  repairs  on,  150. 
exchange   of   property  on, 

134. 
Mr.  Hancock's  claim  to,  143. 
plan  of  Town'sright  to,  143. 
sale  of  land  on,  143. 
Beals,  Thomas,  116. 


Belcher,  Sarson,  3. 
Belknap,  Jeremiah,  61,  90,  109, 148. 
Rev.  Mr.,  160, 179,  226,  330. 
Samuel,  306. 
Bell,  Daniel,  60, 103,  387,  423. 

William,  19, 171, 188, 390. 
Bellingham,  12,  \Z,  38. 
Bells,  ringing  of,  15,  63, 112, 150, 183,  316. 
paid  for  ringing,  360,  402,  434. 
tolling  of,  145,  169,  194,  227,  228,  254, 
256,  286,  289,  300,  310,  325,  327,  330, 
357,  358,  374,  392,  395,  427,  429. 
Bent,  Rufus,  4. 

Bentley  (Bently),  Jonathan,  280. 
Joseph,  388. 
Joshua,  58, 140, 162, 190, 
221,  257,  323,  354,  422. 
Bethune,  Nathaniel,  139. 
Billings,  William,   137,   163,  187,  222,  248, 

279,  353,  387,  422. 
Bills,  against  wooden   buildings  being 
used  for  machinery,  80. 
Continental,  100. 
New  Emission,  31,  33,  34,  35,  72. 
Old  Emission,  31. 
tradesmans,  33. 
Bingham,  Mr.,  391. 
Bisset,  Joseph,  222. 
Black,  Moses,  101. 
Blacksmith,  31. 
Biagg,  Samuel,  55,  277. 
Blaisdel   (Blaisdell),  Henry,  11,  58,  102, 

140, 162, 190,  221. 
Blake,  Edward,  324. 

George,  405,  406,  428,  430. 
James,  253,  280,  324,  354,  388,  422. 
Joseph,  300,  301,  306,  314,  330,   332, 

333,  347,  359,  3S2,  389,  406. 
Mr.,  392. 
William  P.,  386. 
Blanchard,  Caleb,  254,  279,  281,  292,  304, 
308,  323,  329,  351,  385,421. 
George,  376,  379,  381. 
G*.,  426. 
John  W.,  386. 
Blaney,  Aaron,  425. 
Blodsjet,  Caleb,  192. 
Boardman,  Mr.,  226. 

Thomas,  192. 

William,  139, 161, 185,  205,  217, 
221,   243,   276,    319,   331,   342, 
349,  384,  416,  418. 
Board  of  War,  arms,  not  returned  to,  32, 

72. 
Boards,  surveyors  of,  choice  of,  9, 11,  58, 
102,  104,  107,  137,   140,   162,   166, 
190,   192,  201,  221,  232,   253,   257, 
280,  324,  354,  388,  422. 
Boiler,  Thomas,  423. 
Bolter,  Thomas,  423. 
Bond,  Nathan,  192. 

Bonds,  45,  57,  110,  111,  121,  136,  165,  186, 
187,  219,   220,  238,  246,  249,  251, 
279,  321,  338,  349,  352,  3S4,  389, 
414,  418,  421. 
to  be  put  in  suit,  151. 
men,  111,  123, 124. 
Booth,  Francis,  55,  98,  139,  162,  187,  222, 

248,  279,  322,  353,  387,  423. 
Boreland.  Leonard  W.,  277. 
Bosson,  John,  139,  162,  189,  220,  249,  283, 

323,  352,  386,  420. 
Boston,  1,  2,  12,  13,  14, 16,  23,  24,  25,  28,  37, 
38,  40,  42,  44,  48,  49,  50, 51,  52,  62, 
64,  68,  79,  85,  86,  87,  89,  94,  95,  96, 
97,  98,  105,  108,  111,  113, 115,  117,  ■ 
119,  120,  124,  125,  126,  132,  133, 
143,  144,  146,  148,  154,  156,  157, 
158,  160,  169,  170,  171,  177,  181, 
183,  184,  193,  194,  195,  196,  202, 
204,  205,  208,  211,  213,  214,  216, 
217,  225,  226,  228,  233,  234,  235, 
236,  238,  239,  241.  242,  254,  255, 
256,  25'/,  262,   263,  264,  265,  267, 


Index. 


441 


Boston,  268,  269,  270,  271,  272,  276,  284, 
285,  287,  288,  289,  29<i,  297,  300, 
301,  302,  304,  309,  311,  312,  313, 
314,  315,  316,  317,  318,  325,  327, 
328,  329,  330,  333,  336,  337,  339, 
340,  341,  342,  343,  344,  345,  346, 
347,  34S,  356,  358,  363,  365,  366, 
367,  368,  369,  372,  373,  374,  375, 
378,  381,  382,  383,  389,  390,  392, 
393,  394,  410,  412,  414,  416,  417, 
424,  427,  428,  429. 
Bay,  202. 

Common,  21,  66,  70,  84,  106,  153, 

158,  159, 174,  178,  179, 

294,  367,  383,  390,  396, 

397,  417. 

allowance    for    work 

on,  62. 
bulls  on,  60, 193. 
burying    ground    on, 

369,  411,  412,  432. 
rent  of  land  near,  200. 
rope-walks    on,    3  6  8, 

369,  371,  389. 
school  in  the",  21, 22,  84, 
152,  153,  174, 175,  390. 
shore,  202,  203. 
Gazette,    article    published   in, 
reflecting   on    selectmen,   390, 
391. 
Neck,  47,  65,  66,  67,  188,  202,  309. 
411. 
breaking  ground  on,  203. 
brickmaking  on,  203. 
cows   going  at  large  on, 

193. 
measures    for  preserving 

land  on,  47,  48. 
proprietors   of    land    on, 

100, 105. 
relative  to   dam   on,  331, 

332,  396,  403,  404. 
repairs  on,  70, 150. 
rope-walks  on,  368. 
sale  of  land  on,  138,  144, 

146,  411,  412,  416. 
salt  works  on,  144, 146. 
sea  wall  on,  59,  65,  66, 105. 
to  defray  ex- 
pense of,  66, 
67. 
new    boundary    line    be- 
tween,    and     Roxbury, 
143. 
Bounties,  373. 
Bourn,  Sylvanus,  110. 
Sylvester,  55. 
Bouve,  Gibbins,  388. 

Bowdoin,  James,  15,  63,  112,  125, 145, 159, 
169,  183,  184,  194,  199,  201,  227, 
255,  275,  286,  310,  311,  SIS,  326, 
327,  357,  393,  428,  432. 
Mr.,  200,  295. 
Bowes,  Nicholas,  12. 
Boyer,  Elizabeth,  426. 

Peter,  5,  6,  9,  54,  57,  84,  97, 107,  123, 
135, 153,  162,  176, 189,  200,  219,  232, 
237,  240. 
Boyle,  John,  306. 
Boyles,  Rev.  Dr.,  178. 
Brace,  David,  423. 
Bradford,  Samuel,  132,  192,  306,  314. 

Thomas,  56. 
Bradley  (Bradlee),  Moses,  356. 
Samuel,  247. 
Thomas,  102, 137, 163, 
187,  222,  248,  279, 322, 
353,  387,  422. 
Brailsford,  Norton,  184,  287. 
Braintree,  26,  50. 
Bray,  John,  142,  163,  190,  222,  280,  325,  355, 

389,  423. 
Brazer,  Jno.,  314. 
Bread,  assize  of,  182. 


Breck,  Samuel,  24,  146,  157,  170,  171,  210, 
218,  223,  227,  229,  245,  256,  277,  289, 
291,  293,  312,  334,  335. 
Breed,  Mr.,  180. 

William,  56. 
Brewer,  Thomas,  284,  376,  379,  381. 
Brewster,  Oliver,  221,  391,  418. 
Brick,  Samuel,  25,  47,  54,  59,  64,  67,  69,  73, 
76,  101,  114,  134,  148, 161,  186,  188, 
196. 
William,  287. 
Brickmakers,  203. 
Bridge,  Ebenezer,  113,  310. 
Bridge  mill,  360,  361. 

over  Charles  river,  51. 
to  build,  417. 
Brimmer  (Brimer),  Herman,  9,  45,  46,  59, 
138,    164,    232,    237, 
247,    278,    293,    295, 
304,    306,    308,    321, 
331,    351,    386,    403, 
415,    420,    423,    427, 
431. 
Broaders,  Bartholomew,  4. 
Brookline,  26, 181,  417. 
Brooks,  Eleazer,  310,  311. 

John,  310. 
Brown,  Benjamin,  345. 
Daniel,  7. 
Elizabeth  B.,  397. 
Ephraim,  401,  426,  433. 
John,  2,  8,  15,  23,  53,  64,  85,  95,  97, 
114,  115,   117,   119,  123,  133,  155, 
161,  177,  185,  200. 
Mr.,  87. 

Samuel,  310,  314,  347,  362,  386,  393, 
399,  400,  403,  406, 415, 420,  423,  427, 
428,  430,  431,  435. 
William,  18,  59,  368,  374,  378,  381, 
430. 
Bruce,  David,  391. 

James,  56, 102,  163. 
Bucknam,  Jacob,  192. 
Building  of  new  school-houses,  46,  215, 
231,  261,  292. 
petition  to  erect,  65. 
wooden,  369,  371,  372,  382. 
Bulfinch,  Charles,  139,  253,  261,  265,  266, 
273,  276,  282,  290,  294,  319,  349, 
354,  384,  391. 
Dr.,  179, 180. 
Bulls,  on  the  common,  60, 187, 193. 
Bumstead,  Jeremiah,  311. 
Burbeck,  William,  124. 
Burial  places,  chapel,  411,  412. 
north,  424. 

on  common,  411,  412,  432. 
south,  412. 

measures    adopted 
for,  412. 
repairs  of,  70, 150. 
Burk,  Benjamin,  19. 
Burt,  Edward,  60,  103,  142,  166,  190,  222, 

253,  280,  325,  354,  388,  423. 
Butterfield,  George,  55. 

John,  4,  98,  139,  162,  189,  220, 
249,  2S3,  323,  352,  386. 
Buttler  (Butler),  Joseph,  11,  58, 102. 
By-laws,  48,  94,  274,  275,  281,  283,  295,  296, 
298  299. 
breaches'of,  296,  297. 
expense  of  printing,  150. 
for  regulation  of  market,  45,  47. 
obstructions   to   carrying    into 

effect,  296. 
relative  to  bulls,  193. 

repealed,  194. 
carriages,  carts  and 

truck  wheels,  95. 
sextons,  118. 
revision  of,  47,  S2,  83,  87,  88,  91, 

93,  94,  95,  96,  164,  168,  187,  191. 
votes   for  carrying  into  effect, 
297. 


442 


City  Document. 


Cabot.  John,  172. 

Samuel,  139, 168,  250,  266,  276,  283. 
Cade  (Cades),  John,  98,  147,  162,  189,  220, 

249,  283,  323,  352,  355,  391,  420. 
Callender,  Joseph,  180,  192,  386. 
Cambridge,  32. 

Bay,  178. 
Cammell,  George,  328,  353,  387. 
Candles,  402,  434. 
Capen,  Hopestill,  253,  306. 
Stoddard,  422. 
Thomas,  353. 
Cargill,  Hugh,  287. 
Carlton,  Osgood,  370. 
Carnes,  Joseph,  386. 

Lewis,  247. 
Carpenters,  31. 

Carter,  James,  20,  21,  83,  105,  110,  152,  174, 
284,  290. 
Mr.,  79,  106,  209,  231,  281. 
Cary,  James,  8. 
Causeway,  59. 

Centinel,  advertisement  in,  for  sale  or 
town  orders,  391. 
proposals  lor  farming  out  the 

market,  published  in,  '-50. 
report  about  privateers,  pub- 
lished in,  340. 
Certificates,  193,  261. 

Champney,  John,  11,  58, 102,  140,  162,  190. 
221,253,280,323,354,388,422. 
Chapel,  burying-ground,  411,  412. 
Charles  river,  51. 
Charlestown,  51. 

Ferry,  100, 104. 
Checkley,  John  Webb,  324. 
Cheevers,  Capt.,  180. 
Cheney,  Mr.,  79,  201,  209,  305. 

Samuel,  84, 106, 152, 153, 174,  175. 
Chimney  sweepers,  badges,  150. 
Church,  old  brick,  262,  301,339,  365. 

South,  43, 177, 236,  302,  339,  348, 
405,  428,  429. 
stone  chapel,  85,  86,  119,  155,  204, 
412. 
Clap,  Samuel,  3S5,  414,  418,  419,  435. 
Clark  (Clarke),  Christopher,  255. 

John,   148,   158,   206,    254, 

283,  320,  351,  388,  392. 
Joseph,  20,    54,    101,  134, 
161,   186,    210,  218,   245, 
277,  320,  350,  355. 
Mr.,  14. 

Thomas,  227,  247,  287,  346. 
Cleland,  William,  286. 
Clerks  of  the  market.    (See  Market.) 
Clough,  William,  7,  425. 
Clouston,  Lois,  377,  379,  381,  426,  431, 433. 

William,  354,  388,  422. 
Coal,  151,  402,  434. 
Cobb,  David,  310. 

Samuel,  104,  277. 
Cobbet  (Cobbit),  Major,  247. 

Nathaniel,  74. 
Codman,  John,  19,  147,  161,  185,  215,  217, 
245,  277,  319,  335,  348,  350,  369, 
370,  384,  389,  418,  419,  430. 
Mr.,  425. 

Kichard,  101,  370. 
Cogswell,  John,  166, 190,  221,  280,  324,  354, 

3S8,  422. 
Collectors  of  taxes.    (See  Taxes.) 
Collins  (Collens,  Collings) ,  Clement,  11, 58, 
102,  140,  162, 
190,  221. 
Palfrey,  195. 
Colson  (Colsen),  Adam,  56,  102,  137,  163, 
187,  222,  248,  279,  282, 
286,  322,  393,  427,  430. 
Commerce,  28,  29,  40,  78,  216,  269,  347,  363, 
407,  408,  409. 
illicit,  77. 
Commission    to    Benjamin    Henderson, 
117. 


Committees,  accounts,  to  audit,  9,  19,  22, 
30,  57,  61,  70,  81,  103,  105, 
109,  138,  146,  147,  149,  164, 
167,  172,  191,  197,  223,  233, 
247,  257,  278,  291,  321,  331, 
332, 251, 386, 401, 420, 432, 433. 
allowance  to  salary  men,  137. 
almshouse,  expense  of,  135, 
141,  354. 

poor  in,  218. 
selling      of,     to 

consider,  282. 
state  of,  239,  243, 
251. 
application  of    John  May, 

188. 
assessors,  to  consider  extra 
duties  upon,  285. 
to    confer    with, 
104. 
bills,  relative  to  old  conti- 
nental, 100. 
bridge,    repairs    on    West 

Boston,  333,  336,  337. 
building,  relative  to  wooden, 

282,  369,  371,  382. 
bulls,  relative  to,  191, 193. 
burying  grounds,  411,  412. 
by-laws,  to  consider,  281,282, 
283,  295,  296. 
revise,  47,  48,  82, 
83,    87,    88,  91, 
93,  94,    95,   96, 
168,     187,    191, 
202,     295,    296, 
297. 
coaches,   relative   to    hack- 
ney, 247,  253. 
constitution, defects  in, 91, 92. 
corporation,  relative  to,  37, 

40,  42. 
correspondence,  4,  31. 
Court,  General,  to  procure 
a  more  convenient  place 
for  holding  the,  157, 158. 
debt,    to   obtain    from  the 

Commonwealth,  151. 
dock,  Oliver's,  100, 142. 
dogs,  relative  to,  80,  82. 
excise   act,   repeal  of,  215, 

216,  333,  336. 
expenses  of  the    year,    to 
estimate  sum  to  be  raised 
for,  22,  32,   61,  80,  99,  105, 
137,  149,  151,  152,  154,   167, 
174,  188,  189,  191,  198,  199, 
201,  321,  352,  359,  387,  420. 
fire,  for  relief  of  sufferers 
by,  366,  367,  368,  416. 
wood,   relative  to,  80, 
275. 
Governor,  to  draw  up  the 
form  of  an 
address  to, 
125. 
present     ad- 
dress to, 125. 
present  reso- 
lutions   to, 
314,  315. 
grain,  for  purchasing,  32,  72, 

81. 
granary,  90,  415. 
Hancock,    Mr.,    to    confer 
with,  on  claim  to  Beacon 
Hill,  134,  135,  143. 
hospital,  to  consider  erect- 
ing, 238,  389. 
house,     relative     to     Silas 

Atkens,  115, 116. 
jurors,  to  act  upon  list  of,  26, 

239. 
justices,  relative  to  fines  of, 
109,  117. 


Index. 


443 


Committees,  lamps,  on  lighting,  265,  267, 
282,  285,  288. 

letter,  to  reply  to  Mr. , 

328. 
committee,    of 
Wren  th  am    and 
Medway,  3, 12. 
market,  on  by-laws  of,    45, 
46,  47. 
clerks  of  the,  165, 
168,  224. 
duty  of,  219. 
money,  to  furnish 
accounts  of,  col- 
lected for  stands 
at,  49. 
regulations   of,    9, 
61,    65,    265,    266, 
362,  363. 
state  of,  245,  250. 
square,  to  discover 
incendi- 
ary who 
set    fire 
to  build- 
ing   on, 
121,  122. 
reward  of- 
fered,122. 
on  erecting 
stalls    in, 
266. 
mills,    relative     to     North 

Chocolate,  74,  79. 
neck,  relative  to  dam  on,  331, 
332,     396, 
404. 
inroads   of 
the  sea 
on,  60,  65, 
66,  67. 
land  on,  47, 

48. 
selling    of, 
412. 
nuisance,  relative  to  a,  224, 

341. 
orator,  to  provide  for  July 
Fourth,  43,  44,  85,  86,  119, 
120,  155,  177,  178,  204,  205, 
236,  262,  263,  301,  339,  365, 
366,  405. 
passageway,  relative  to,  424, 

425. 
petition,  Abbot,  Samuel,  191. 
Ballard,   John,   41, 

45,  61,  65,  87. 
Bowdoin,  Mr.,  295. 
Clouaton,  Lois,  431. 
constables',  148, 149, 

152. 
county ,to  form  new, 

26,  27,  28,  29. 
Court,  General,  38, 
206,       214, 
230,       260, 
265. 
to  repeal  law 
against  the- 
atrical   en- 
t  e  rtain- 
ments,   312. 
report     of 
committee, 
313,  314. 
Cunningham,     Jo- 
seph, 164, 165, 167. 
Darracott,  William 

401. 
Daw,  Samuel,   200. 
draught  of,  to  pre- 
pare, 52. 
fire  insurance  Co., 
67,  78. 


Committees,  petition,  Gray,  Katharine, 
42. 
Gray,  Mr.,  46. 
Hancock,    Mr.,  59, 

141. 
Harris,  Giles,  287. 
Hills,  Mr.,  67,  242, 

261,  265. 

Holbrook,   Jirah, 

290, 

351, 

355. 

John, 

2S1, 

283. 

incorporate  Boston, 

25,  90,  91,  93. 
Jackson,   Henry, 

411. 
Jeffries,  David,  139, 

141. 
Jones,  Daniel,  290, 

291. 
Loring,   Jonathan, 

401. 
Makepeace,  192. 
Mason,     Mr.,    284, 

288,  293. 
May,  Aron,  22,  36. 
number  of  inhabit- 
ants, 352. 
Palmer,    Joseph, 

144,  146. 
Parker,    Margaret, 

99, 108. 
Pierpont,     Robert, 

417. 
Salter,  Richard,  140. 
Sargent,  Col.,  202. 
school    at    South 
End,  proprietors 
of,  36. 
Sergeant,  Paul  D., 

192. 
Tate,  James,  431. 
thirteen  towns,  49. 
answer  to, 
50,  51. 
Thomas,      Alexan- 
der, 90,  92,  99. 
Thompson,  James, 

362. 
Thwing,     James, 

424. 
Tileston,   Mr.,  138, 

153. 
Torrey,  Josiah,  99. 
police,  relative  to,  273,  274, 
275. 
salary  of,  364. 
poor,    accommodations  for, 
294,  396,  398. 
hospital  for,  to  erect, 

237  238 
relief  of,'  229,  230,  260. 
subscriptions  for,  132. 
support  of,  to  nego- 
tiate  contract  for, 
252. 
President,    address    to,    to 
prepare,    207, 
211. 
respects     of 
town,  to    ex- 
press, 207,  210. 
to  wait  on,  207. 
provisions,  on  high  price  of, 

413,  414. 
representation      of      Collo. 

Waters,  362. 
representatives,  to  prepare 

instructions  for,  75,  76. 
road,  from  West  Boston  to 
North  End,  59. 


444 


City  Document. 


Committees,  rope-walks,  on  erecting,  368, 
369,389,401, 
414. 
passageway 
b  etween, 
318. 
salaries,  relative  to,  83,  295, 

362. 
schools,  arrangement  of 
free,  16,  17,  18. 
building     more, 
74,  79. 

North 
read- 
ing, 
3  9  0. 
committee,  to  con- 
sider  represen- 
tation of,  231. 
education   in,    to 
consider,     2  0  6, 
208. 
masters,  means  to 
discharge 
arrear- 
ages due, 
137. 

opi  nion 
of,  respect- 
ing, 17. 
salaries  of, 
20,  80, 168. 
new,  relative    to, 
41,    46,   166,   182, 
206. 
number  in,  to  as- 
certain, 18, 19. 
state  of,  6. 
to  visit  public,  99, 
164,  202. 
selectmen  to  consider  having 
more,  62,  67. 
examine 
draughts  of, 
10,    57,    103, 
138,  149, 172. 
smallpox,    on    inocculation 
for,  181, 282, 
284. 

state  of,  305, 

307,  308. 

to  take  measure 

to    prevent 

spread    of, 

303,  305,  308. 

South  Battery,  on  land  at, 

47,  67,  75. 
State  House,  relative  to  a, 
312,  317. 
to   procure 
land  for  a, 
383,  396,  397. 
State  of  Trade,  347,  348. 
Streets,  Ferry  street,  124. 

building  sea  wall  on 
Ferry  street,  116, 
117. 
widening    Ferry 

street,  90. 
Lynn,  342,  344. 
names,  to    give  to, 

164. 
new,290,293,413,414. 
paving  and  repair- 
ing, 171, 176. 
Sea,  99. 
State,    paving    and 

repairing,  176. 

widening,    87,    104, 

105. 

Suffolk  County,  relative  to 

dividing, 

23,    266, 


Committees,  Suffolk  County,  to  prepare 
r  e  as  o  n  s 
against 
dividing, 
29,  38, 
269,  270, 
271,  272. 
tax  act,  338. 

allowance  for  collectors, 

110,  304,  308. 
defaulting       collectors, 

to  collect  from,  81. 
measures  to  oblige  col- 
lectors to  pay,  73. 
mode  of  collecting,  329, 

331,  334,  432,  433. 
names  of  persons  who 
refuse  to  pay,  to  ob- 
tain, 334. 
punctual   collection   of, 

261. 
request  of  collectors,  to 

consider,  237. 
State,    with   respect  to 

paying,  166,  167. 
to   wait   on   dilatory 
payers  of,  335,  336. 
theatre,   relative   to  a,  266, 

267,  431. 
thirteen,  210,  282. 
town's  debts,   to   examine, 
240. 
finances,  242. 
house,  land  for  new, 

to  purchase,  158. 
moneys  lent  to,  61, 

62. 
real  estate,  on  sell- 
ing, 396,    397,  398, 
399. 
safety  of,  323,  324. 
Treasurer,  accounts,  to  ex- 
amine, 189, 415, 
416,  425. 
assist,  167. 
State,    to   wait 

on,  102,  103. 
town,  duties  of, 
to  con- 
sider, 
293. 
money 
due  the 
late,  45, 
4  6,    8  8, 
8  9,    9  2, 
93,    237, 
240. 
sum  owed 
t  o,   b  y 
Geo. 
Make- 
peace, 
431,  433. 
treaty  between  United  States 
and  Great  Britain,  to  con- 
sider, 406. 
twelve,  205,  208,  211,  215. 
visit,  305. 

votes,  to  carry  into  effect,  10. 
count,  114,  123,  244, 

257,  263,  264. 
prepare,  229. 
will,  on    donations   in   Dr. 

Franklin's,  234. 
wood,  to  consider  admeas- 
urements of,  61. 
Commutation  to  officers  of  the  army,  13, 

14. 
Concert  Hall,  paid  for  repairs  to,  70. 
Condy,  Foster,  8.     . 

Congress,  13,  14,  78,  130,  131,  158,  242,  310, 
311,  316,  327,  363,  373,  374. 
impost  to,  13,  14. 


Ijsdex. 


445 


Congress,  memorial  in,  429. 

representatives  in,  183, 184,  241, 
310,  311,  316,  347,  374. 
Connell,  George,  423. 
Constables,  7,  42,  54,  58,  95,  100,  274,  305, 
433. 
allowance   to,    150,    159,    176, 

360,  402,  434. 
choice  of,  4,  11,  20,  55,  56,  98, 
104,  139, 147,  162, 189, 220,  249, 
253, 283,  290,  323,  352,  355, 386, 
391,  420,  425,  432. 
reward  offered  to,  324,  325. 
to  walk   the   streets  on  the 
Lord's  day,  107, 147, 191. 
Constitution  or  frame  of  government,  14, 
24,  39,  62,  63,  68,  69,  111,  113, 
145,  14S,   169,  170,  171,  194, 
195,  196,  226,  228,  254,  256, 
285,  289,  325,  330,  356,  358, 
392,  394,  427,  429. 
choice  of  twelve  persons  to 

ratif  v,  159. 
defects  in,  91,  92. 
for  and  against  revising,  394. 
people  to  support  the,  127. 
Convention,  County,  126. 
Cookson,  Samuel,  224. 
Coolidge,  William,  247. 
Cooper,  Jacob,  98, 115. 
Mr.,  223. 

Samuel,  306,  314,  430. 
William,  2,  3,  6,  23,  29,  53,  54,  78, 
84,  96,  100,  107,  115,  133,  134, 153, 
160,  161, 175, 184, 186,  200,  204, 217, 
218,  232,  235,  243, 244, 257, 258, 262, 
263,  264, 265,  276,  282,  286, 301, 319, 
338,  339, 347,  349, 364, 365, 384, 403, 
405,  406,  418,  435. 
William,  2d,  139, 162. 
Copeland;  Ephraim,  306. 

Mr.,  180. 
Copper,  409. 
Cop's  Hill,  town  to  purchase  lots  on,  117, 

118. 
Cordis,  Joseph,  346. 
Correspondence,  Committee  on,  4,  31. 
with  other  states,  78. 
Council,  the,  40, 122, 131,  274. 
County,  reasons  for  forming  new,  26. 

objections  to  forming  new,  26, 27, 

28,  29. 
Suffolk.    (See  Suffolk.) 
treasurer.    (See  Treasurer.) 
Worcester,  26,  38,  39. 
Court,  County,  27,  39. 

General,  13,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  38,  40, 
48,  49,  51,  52,  62,  68,  75,  76,  80,  88, 
89, 113,  115,  129,  135,  143,  148,  157, 
158, 166,  171, 183,  196,  203,  206,  214, 
215,  216,  228,  229,  230,  241,  256,  260, 
267,  268,  269,  272,  274,  275,  289,  300, 
309,  310,  312,  313,  316,  318,  325,  327, 
330,  336,  358,  368,  373,  374,  382,  383, 
394,  410,  412.  417,  429. 
House,  95,  214. 

measures  for  erecting  new, 

383. 
tax  for  new,  28,  40. 
of  common  pleas,  26,  27,  38,  39,  241, 
341. 
general  sessions,  5,  48,  58,  94,  95, 
96,     98,     115, 
194,  241,   264, 
270,  274,  34.1. 
clerks   of,    95, 
98,    115,    123, 
349. 
justice,  26,  38,  131. 
probate,  26,  27,  38,  39. 
supreme  judicial,  241,  270,  275,  341. 
Coverly,  Samuel,  221. 
Cowden,  Joseph,  353. 
Cowell,  William,  376,  379,  381. 


Cows  going  at  large,  193. 

owners  of,  assessed,  193. 
Crafts  (Craft),  Col.,  72,  166,  187, 193,  216, 
238,  247,  338,  385,  417, 431. 
Judge,  343,  347. 
Mr.,  160,  319,  349',  384. 
Thomas,  90,  91, 98,  104, 116, 
117,  161,  165,  168, 185, 188, 
217,  218,  219,  224,  226, 237, 
240,  242,  243,  244,  261, 262, 
265,  266,  269,  276, 278,  282, 
285,  286,  302,  304,  312, 314, 
317,319,321,323,324,331, 
334,  340,  341,  342, 346,347, 
349,  351,  354,  355, 356,  359, 
365,366,367,368,372,373, 
378,  381 ,  382,  383,  384, 389, 
390,  392,  393,  395, 396, 404, 
406,410,411,413,418,427, 
430. 
William,  163, 186,  222,  248, 
279 
Cranch,  Richard,  15,-64,  112,  145, 170, 195, 

227,  255,  286. 
Crane  (Cram),  Abijah,  102. 

Thomas,  23,  24. 
Cravath,  Lemuel,  168,  221. 
Creditors  of  town,  201. 
Crocker,  Allen,  221. 

Joseph,  305,  425. 
Robert,  397. 
Crompston  (Crumston),  Henry,  189,  220, 

249,  355. 
Cudworth,  Benjamin,  72,  73,  173,  361. 

Mr.,  31,  110,  111,  149,360. 
Cullers  of  fish.    (See  Fish  ) 
Cullers  of  staves.    (See  Staves.) 
Cumpston,  Henry,  386. 
Cunningham,  Andrew,  373,  385,  419. 
Joseph,  164, 167,  197. 
Mary,  164, 167. 
Mr.,  136. 

William,  65,  85,  97,  114,  115, 
123,  133,  137,  238,  248,  280, 
322,  354. 
House,  167. 
Curtis,  Benjamin,  56. 
Jacob,  172. 

Samuel,  7,  55,  103,  137, 163,  279,  322. 
Cushing,  Charles,  357,  393,  428. 
Edward,  324. 
Jonathan,  222,  254,  280,  325,  355, 

389,  423. 
Theophilus,  145,  357,  393,  428. 
Thomas,  15,  63,  112,  145. 
William,  357,  392. 
Cutler,  Benjamin,  55. 
James,  324. 

Dalton,  Tristram,  63,  64,  145. 
Dam,  Hill's,  66. 

on  Boston  Neck,  331,  332,  396,  403, 
404. 
Dana,  Francis,  15,  63,  255,286,  311,326. 
Darricut,  William,  354,  388,  390,  401,  422. 
Davis,  Amasa,  19,  53,  80,  218,  224,  245,  277, 
306,  320,  323,  350,  385,  419. 
Caleb,  3,  15,  23,  24,  25,  29,  46,  59,  64, 
65,  69,  75,  76,  80,  100,  11/,  114,  134, 
142,  145,  148,  159,  170, 171, 184, 186, 
192,  195,  207,  210,  214,  215,  216,  218, 
224,  225,  227,  242,  245,  255,  265,  269, 
273,  277,  282,  287,  294,  304,  308,  311, 
318,  322,  326. 
Edward,  164,  188,  221,  247,  278,  306, 

386. 
Henry,  322. 
Isaac,  370,  387,422. 
Joshua,  41, 166, 192. 
Mr.,  79,  281. 
Nathan ,  20,  21,  83,  84,  152,  153,  174, 

175, 198. 
Nathaniel,  105, 106. 
Robert,  54,  306. 


446 


City  Document. 


Davis,  Samuel,  197. 

Thomas,  167,  2S6,  375,  379,  381,  425. 
William,  136. 
Daw,  Samuel,  200. 

Dawes  (Daws),  Col.,  37,  45,  59,  64,  80,  165, . 
199,  201, 216, 231 , 333, 341, 
376,  395,  396,  424. 
Judge,  376. 

Thomas,  15,  24,  25,  41,  43, 
52,  64,  69,  70,  74,  75,  76, 
80,  82,  86,  89,  90,  92,  112, 
114,116,117,120,134,135, 
137, 142, 144, 145, 146, 148, 
155, 156, 157, 159, 160, 165, 
168,169,170,171,176,184, 
188, 189, 195, 196, 203, 204, 
205,207,211,218,226,227, 
229, 233,234,  235,  237,  238, 
240,  241, 242, 243,246, 247, 
252, 254, 255, 257, 259, 262, 
263, 264, 265,  272, 276, 278, 
281,282,285,288,289,293, 
294,296,300,302,303,304, 
306,309,311,318,319,320, 
321, 326, 328, 329, 331, 332, 
337, 338, 340, 343, 351, 354, 
356, 357,  361, 363, 368, 371, 
377,379,381,383,387,389, 
390, 393,  399, 400, 401, 406, 
410,411,413,414,415,416, 
420, 426,  428. 
William,  7,  56,  397. 
Debit  and  credit  of  the  town,  10,  57,  151, 
173, 197, 198,  233,  240, 258,  292, 337, 433. 
Deblois,  Gilbert,  7, 110. 

William,  139,  277,  314. 
Debt,  amount  of  towns,  32,  71. 

interest  on,  197. 
Declaration   of   Independence,  anniver- 
sary of,  43,  44,  86,  119,  155, 
177,   204,   236,  262,  301,  339, 
365,  405. 
Dedham,  3,  12,  23,  26,  38. 
Deeds,  67, 168, 397,  400. 

of  land,  for  rope-walks,  371. 
register  of,  choice  of,  114, 115,  123, 

419. 
registry  of,  26,  27,  38,  39. 
Deer,  informer  of,  choice  of,  7,  56, 102, 137, 
163,  187,  222,  248,  279,  322,  353,  386, 
422. 
Island,  360. 
paid  for  repairs,  31. 
visitation  to,  150. 
Delegates,  26*. 
Demming,  John,  117,  2S2,  374,  378,  381. 

Samuel,  80. 
Dennie  (Denny),  Capt.,  293. 

Thomas,  99. 
Devens,  Richard,  311. 
Dexter,  Aaron,  206,  211,  219,  246,  281,  320, 
351,  368,  388,  420,  430. 
Samuel,  15,  64,  310. 
Dillaway,  Samuel,  377.  380,  381,  426. 
Dingley,  Amasa,  153, 175. 
Diseases,  infectious,  181,  282,  284,  302,  303, 
305,  307,  308,  361. 
to  prevent  spread  of,  343. 
Doane,  Elisha,  101. 
Doble,  Joseph,  261,  290,  331,  391,  423. 
Dock,  Oliver's,  100, 142, 143. 
Square,  9, 10,  76,  397. 

fire  in  building  in,  120. 
fish  market  in,  121. 
pump,  150. 
Town,  70. 

expense  of  filling  up,  31, 50. 
request   for   compensation 

for  filling  up,  36. 
settled  by  arbitration,  36. 
Dolbeare  (Dolbear),  Edmund,  253,  280. 
Edward,  190,  222. 
Donnison,  William,  55,  306. 
Dorchester  Neck,  412. 


190, 
350, 


215, 

269, 
330, 

418, 


Dorr,  Ebenezer,  166,  281,  282,  306,  368. 

Harbottle,  6,  97, 114, 123, 133,160,185, 
217,  226,  243,  246,  306. 
Doubleday,  John,  386. 
Dow,  Samuel,  432. 
Drafts  of  money,  122. 
Duggan,  John,  428,  430. 
Dunbar,  Elijah,  170, 195,  227. 

Elisha,  2S7. 
Dyer,  Joseph,  104. 

Samuel,  11,  58, 140,  162, 186, 190,  221, 
222,  248,  253,  280,  323,  354. 
Dyke,  404,  412. 


Eames,  Luther,  382. 
Eaton,  Joseph,  430. 
Eckley,  Rev.  Mr.,  52,  276,  383. 
Edes,  Benjamin,  15. 

Edward,  8,  56,  102,  134,  161, 185, 
217,  218,  245,  273,  277,  319,  320, 
353,  384,  385,  387,  41S,  419,  423. 
Jacob,  7,  55,  56,  103,  112. 
Mr.,  390. 
Peter,  89. 
Education,  new  system  of,  208,  211, 

285,  290,  351,  388,  420. 
Edwards,  Thomas,  224,  226,  243,  261, 
273,  276,  282,  2CS,  300,  311,  319,  328, 
349,  354,  359,  382,  384,  389,  395,  413, 
424,  428,  430. 
Egner,  Joseph,  279,  322. 
Electors,  183, 184,  310,  311. 
Eliot,  Josiah,  305. 

Rev.  Dr.,  144, 180,  205,  256,  373. 
Samuel,  430. 
Simeon,  110. 
Simon,  7,  284. 
Embargo,  363. 
Emmons,  Samuel,  370,  401. 
Engine,  33,  70,  360,  402. 
Hay,  100,  362. 

premium  to  first,  at  fire,  89. 
repairing,  31, 150,  402. 

damage  to,  324. 
Englnemen,  premium  to,  434. 
English,  Thomas,  139,  284. 
Enlistments,  340,  373. 

bounties  for  men  enlisting,  373. 
Erving,  John,  30,  55. 
Essex,  County  of,  26,  38,  310. 

district  of,  316,  327. 
Eustis  (Eustes),  Jacob,  107, 109. 

William,  199,  205,  207 
229,  238,  256,  260, 
287,  2S9,  310,  311, 
317,  326,  330,  341, 
357,  358,  383,  393, 
406,  411,  413,  425, 
430,  432. 
Everett,  Rev,  Mr.,  24,  133. 
Executions  against  delinquent  tax 

lectors,  82,  92. 
Eyres,  Joseph,  11,  58. 

Joseph  Rogers,  102. 


210, 
273, 
312, 

348, 
395, 

428, 


col- 


Fallass,  William,  31,  32. 

Eaneuil  Hall,  1,2,  12, 14,23,24,31,37,42,44, 
46,  48,  51,  52,  63,  68,  72,  83, 
85,  86,  87,  89,  95, 96,  111,  113, 
117,  119,  120,  124,  125,  132, 
133,  144,  148,  154,  156,  157, 
158,  160,  169,  170,  172,  177, 
181,  183,  184,  186,  194,  195, 
204,  205,  213,  216,  226,  228, 
231,  233,  235,  236,  241,  243, 
254,  256,  262,  263,  264,  265, 
272,  276,  2S5,  288,  300,  301, 
302,  304,  309,  312,  316,  318, 
325,  327,  328,  330,  333,  339, 
340,  341,  342,  343,  347,  348, 
356,  358,  363,  365,  366,  367, 
368,  372,  373,  381,  383,  390, 
392,  393,  394,  404,  406,  410, 
411,  414,  417,  427,  428,  429. 


Index. 


447 


Faneuil  Hall,  illumination  of,  1. 
paid  for  repairs,  31. 
market,  see  market, 
square,  363. 
Farmer,  P.,  31,  33,  34. 
Farnum,  Jonathan,  56. 
Fellows,  Gustavus,  4,  54,  100, 178. 

Nathaniel,  306,  347,  406,  430. 
Fence  viewers,  choice  of,  7,  56,  102, 137, 

163, 186,  222,  248,  279,  321, 353,  387,  422. 
Fenno,  John,  137,  167, 168. 
Samuel,  11,  58, 102. 
Ferries,  Charlestown,  100, 104. 

Winnesimit,  100, 104. 
Ferry  street,  124. 

to  build  wall  on,  116, 118, 122. 
expense  of  wall  on,  150. 
Fessington,  M.,  426. 
Fines,  109,  117,  172, 197. 
Fire-arms,  see  arms  and  ammunition. 
Insurance  Co.,  62,  67,  75,  78. 
men,  premiums  to,  150. 
wards,  3,  5,  11,  12,  75,  133,  161,  185, 
223,  274,  283. 
choice  of,  4,  6,  20, 54, 59, 65, 78, 
100,   101,   104,  134,   142,  162, 
186,   189,   190,   218,  224,  245, 
250,   277,   284,   312,   320,  322, 
350,  355,  359,  373,  385,  419. 
Fires,  July  30,  1794,  416,  431. 
on  Market  square,  121. 
subscription   to   relieve    sufferers 
from,  366,  416. 
Fish,  cullers  of,  choice  of,  261,  290,  331, 
391,  423. 
in  Faneuil  Hall  Market  Square,  362, 

363. 
market,  121,  361. 
Fisher,  Jabez,  15,  64,  112, 145,  1S4, 195,  227. 
John,  170,  221. 
William,  55. 
Fisheries,  77. 
Fleet,  Thomas,  374,  378,  381. 

William,  8,  36,  5H,  101,  136. 
Fooler,  Thomas,  163. 
Foot,  William,  166. 
Forestalled,  267. 

Forestalling,  to  prevent,  251,  266,  299,  362. 
Form  relative  to  choice  of  governor,  etc., 
15,  63,  111,  145, 
169,   194,    227, 
256,    285,  325, 
357,    392,  427. 
representa- 
tives,   24,  69, 
113,  148,    156, 
160,   171,   181, 
196,    214,  228, 
256,  289,    300, 
310,  316,   327, 
330,   358,   394, 
429. 
Foster,  Bossinger,  53, 164. 
Joseph,  422. 
Thomas,  190,  222,  254,  280,  325,  355, 

389,  423. 
William,  45, 158, 159, 172, 173. 
Fowle,  Mr.,  142. 
Fox,  John,  324. 
Foxborough,  38. 
Fox  hill,  369. 
Franklin,  12, 13. 

Benjamin,  233,  234,  235,  23S,  246, 
254. 
Frazier,  Nathan,  2,  53,  57. 

Nathaniel,  278. 
Freeman,  James,  1S3,  211,  219,  246,  281,283, 
285,  394. 
Jonathan,  101. 
French,  John,  287. 
Fuller,  Abraham,  195. 

Moses,  265,  266,  268,  269. 
Funeral,  John  Hancock,  344. 
Furness,  William,  386. 


Gardiner,  John,  73,  82,  85,  S6,  90,  91,  95,  99 

120. 
Gardner,  John,  43,  82,  S8,  324,  3S6. 
Joseph,  226. 
Lemuel,  142,  163,  190,  222,  280, 

325,  354,  428. 
Mr.,  226. 
Nathaniel,  7. 
Robert,  359,  385,  419. 
Gay,  Timothy,  23. 
Gees,  Widdow,  226. 
General  Assembly,  23. 
General  Court.    (See  court.) ' 
Gerry,  Elbridge,  15, 169,  255,  286,  326,  357, 

392,  393,  427. 
Geyer,  Rev.  Mr.,  170. 
Gibbs,  Caleb,  139. 
Gill,  Moses,  357,  392,  393,  427. 
Gillman,  Samuel,  7. 
Glaziers,  31. 

Gleason,  Joseph,  286,  354,  3S7,  422. 
Globe  tavern,  344,  346. 
Glover,  Nathaniel,  101,  221. 
Goals,  tax  for,  28,  40. 
Goldthwait,  Benjamin,  353. 
Gooch,  Mr.,  180. 
Good,  Jacob,  98. 
Goodhue,  Benjamin,  310. 
Goodings,  Mr.,  118. 
Goodwin,  Benjamin,  346. 
Goold,  Jacob,  56. 

Gore,  Christopher,  36,  61,  62,  74,  145,  159, 
166,  168, 182,  199,  211,  214,  219,  246, 
273,  281. 
John,  jr.,  422. 
Samuel,  168. 
Stephen,  7. 
Goreham  (Gorham),  Nathaniel,  357,  427. 
Stephen,     232,     245, 
277,  303,    319,    350, 
3S4,    395,    406,  418, 
428,  430. 
Government,  39,  40. 

plans  for  altering  form  of, 

42. 
printed  and  sent  to  every 
inhabitant,  42. 
Governor,  address  to,  125, 126,  315. 
donor,  116. 
proclamation  of,  122, 

read,  125. 
votes  for,  15,  63,  112,  145,  169, 
170,    194,  195,   227, 
255,   286,   325,  357, 
392,  427. 
lieutenant,     15,    63, 
112,    145,   169,  170, 
194,    195,    227,   255, 
286,    326,    357,  393, 
427. 
Graham,  John,  341,  344,  345. 
Grain,  purchasers  of,  8,  32. 
Granary,  33,  90,  415. 

exchange  of,  134. 
sale  of,  252,  398,  399. 
Grants  and  allowances.    {See  salaries.) 

of  land,  369,  370,  371. 
Grant,  Moses,  60,  97, 114, 115, 123,  133,  137, 
165,  167,  306. 
Mr.,  136. 
to  assessors,  203. 
Gravel,  31,  67,  70, 150,  281,  355,  360. 
Gray,  Benjamin,  72,  73.  111. 
Collector,  139, 143. 
Edward,  236. 

John,  164, 190,  376,  379,  381,  425. 
Katharine,  42,  111. 
Mr.,  31,  46,  149,  179. 
William,  101. 
Great  Britain,  407,  408,  409. 
Green,  Benjamin,  192. 
David,  430. 
Edward,  9,  57,  61. 
James,  247. 


448 


City  Document. 


Green,  Jesse,  397. 
Joseph,  22. 
Mr.,  226. 
Nathan,  7,  56, 137,  "163,  187,  222,  24S, 

279,  322. 
Nathaniel,  98, 115, 123,  226. 
Samuel,  280,  322. 

Thomas,  8,  56, 103, 138, 163, 173, 186, 
223,  248. 
Greenleaf    (Greenleaff,    Greanleaff), 
Daniel  7   247 
Joseph,  44,'47,  49,  51,88,95,  140. 
Mr.,  226. 
Thomas,  221. 
Greenough,  Samuel,  221. 
Thomas,  53. 
Greenought,  Thomas,  2. 
Greenwood,  Samuel,  346. 
Grenville,  Lord,  407. 
Gridldey,  Richard,  145. 
Gridley,  Richard,  282. 
Gun-house,  398. 

Hall,  Andrew,  139. 
Benjamin,  113. 
Joseph,  19. 

Nathaniel,  180,  374,  378,  SSI,  424. 
Stephen,  31. 
Hambleton,  George,  103. 
Hamlin,  George,  4,  7,  55, 137,  163,  187,  222, 

248. 
Hammet '  (Hammeatt),     Benjamin,    10S, 
419. 
Mr.,  173. 
Hancock,  Ebenezer,  43,  119,  142,  162,  190, 
287,  357. 
John,  15,  59,  63,  69,  76,  85,  112, 
134,   145,   154,    159,    169, 
179,  194,    227,    255,    286, 
326,  344,  397. 
funeral  of,  344. 
Mr.,  135,  141,  143. 
Harris,  Gvles  (Giles),  8,  36,  58,  101,  136, 
164,188,  220,  247.   278,  285,  287, 
323,  329,  351,  385,  421. 
Mr.,  178. 

Samuel,  103, 163, 190,  222. 
Hatch,  Jabez,  4,  32,  54,  100,  134,  161,  186, 
200,  217,  218,  237,  243,  245,  246,  276,  314, 
318,  320,  350,  385,  419. 
Hawkes,  Elkanah,  244,  286. 
Hay,  33,  36,  37,  50,  214. 
engine,  2  4,  295. 
for  bulls,  30. 
market,  37,  70. 
scales  for  weighing,  37. 
weigher,  salary  of,  22,  298,  299. 
Hayden,  Caleb,  60, 103, 140,  163, 190,222. 

Joseph,  7. 
Hayward,  Abraham,  102, 190,  221,  253,  280, 

323,  354,  388. 
Haywards,  choice  of,  7,  55,  103,  104,  109, 
137, 163,  187,  191,  192,  222,  248,  279,  322, 
353,  387,  423. 
Healey,  Samuel,  103. 
Heath,  William,  15,  64,  112,  145,  170,  195, 

227,  255, 286,  310,  311,  316,  326,  357. 
Hemp,  409. 

surveyors  of,  choice  of,  7,  55,  108, 
137,   164,  190,   221,   248,   279,   322, 
353,  387,  422. 
Henchman,  Nathaniel,  11,  55,  253. 
Henderson,  Benjamin,  56,  88,  89,  110,  111, 
117,   122,   135,   149,  165,   172, 
173,   187,  220,  249,  258,  279, 
292,  329,  352,  360,  388,  421, 
426,  434. 
Mr.,  154. 
Henshaw,  Joshua,  60,  75,  98, 115, 123,  141, 
145,  244,  257,  263,  264. 
Samuel,  46. 
Hewes  (Hews),  Mr.,  226. 

Robert,  222. 
Samuel,328,  392,  393. 


Hewes  (Hews),  Seba,  426. 

Shubael,   8,  98,  139,  162, 
189,    220,    249,  283,  323, 
352,386,420. 
Hicks,  Samuel,  102. 

Zachariah,  8,  247. 
Hierly,  John  Turner,  11. 
Higgeson,  Stephen,  23. 
Higginson  (Higgenson),  Stephen,  1,  2,  5, 
15,  25,  29,  42,  52,  53,  59,  62,  64,  91,  100, 
103,  125,  145,  170, 192,  206,  207,  210,  215, 
234,  240,  255,  261,  265,  273,  287,  293,  310, 
311,  316,  326,  357,  428,  430. 
Highways,  surveyors  of,  choice  of,  8,  56, 
103,  142, 163,  186,  221,  248,  279,  322,  352, 
386,  422. 
Hildreth,  Zachariah,  345. 
Hill,  Alexander,  19,  61,  90,  138,  139,  140, 
148,  205,  261,  305. 
Henry,  142, 161,  185, 199,  217,  235,  245, 

277,  319,  328,  350,  384,  393,  418. 
Mr.,  67, 141,  242,  265. 
Nathaniel,  56. 
Hinckley,  John,  112, 123. 
Hingham,  26,  357. 

Hitchborn      (Hitchborne,      Hitcbbourn, 
Hitchburn),  Benjamin,  16,25,43,44,45, 
52,  59,  69,  73,  76,  92, 112. 
Phillip,  355,  389,  423. 
Robert,  60. 

Thomas,  19,  306,  351,  385, 
421. 
Hodsje,  Robert,  203. 
Hodgdon,  Alexander,  135, 139. 
Hogreeves,  choice  of,  7,  55,  103,  137,  163, 
187,  222,  231,  248,  279,  322,  328,  353,  387, 
423. 
Holbrook,  Jirah,  290,  321,  322,  351,  354,  355, 
387,  422,  425. 
John,  281. 
Mr.,  179. 
Holland,  Jacob,  187,  222,  248. 
Hollis,  David,  279,  322,  353,  422. 
Holliston,  38. 
Hollock,  Lemuel,  64. 
Holly,  David,  387. 
Holten  Samuel,  311,  316,  327. 
Homans,  Benjamin,  98,  139,  162,  189,  220, 

249,  283,  322,  323,  352,  386. 
Homer,  Michael,  287. 
Homes,  William,  306. 
Hopkinton,  38. 
Horsefall,  Richard,  353,  387. 
Horskins,  William,  5. 
Hospital,  304. 

at  New  Boston,  181. 
Rainsford  Island,  223. 
West  Boston,  150,  309,  318. 
for  practise  of  inoculation,  181. 
grant  of  land  for  new,  389. 
supplies  for,  31. 
Houghton,  Jesse,  397,  426. 
Housefall,  Richard,  423. 
House  of  Representatives,  38,  49,  269,  313. 
Housewrights,  401. 
Hovey,  Amos,  112. 
How  (Howe),  Edward,  7,  55,  108,  370. 

Samuel,  390. 
Howard,  Abraham,  11,  58, 140, 162. 
Joseph,  168. 
ilfr.,68,180. 
Rev.  Dr.,  228. 
Samuel,  305. 
Simeon,  206. 
Hubbard,  Daniel,  186, 
Hubbart,  Tuttle,  6,  53. 
Hudson,  Hezekiah,  280,  325,  389. 
Hughes,  James,  226,  266. 
Hunt,  Mr.,  79,  209,  231. 

Samuel,  20,  21,  83, 105,  152,  174,  192, 

198. 
Samuel  W.,  101. 
Hurley,  John  T.,  55. 
Hutchinson,  Shrimpton,  99. 


Index. 


4-19 


Hutson,  Hezekiah,  355,  423. 

Illumination  of  town,  1. 

Incendiaries,  reward   for  discovery  of, 

122. 
Inches,  Mrs.,  178. 
Incorporation  of  the  town,  25,  89,  91,  92, 

93, 417. 
Indemnification,  407,  408. 
Independence  Day,  celebration    of  the 
anniversary  of,  43,  44,  86, 119,  155, 177, 
204,  236,  262,  301,  339, 365,  405. 
India,  408. 

Informer  of  deer.  (See  Deer.) 
Ingersol,  Daniel,  253,  280,  324. 
Inhabitants,  1,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  8,  9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 
20, 24, 27, 33, 34, 36,  3b,  39,  42, 
43,  48,  50,  51,  53,  54,  55,  58, 
66,  69,  70,  76,  77,  78,  80,  82, 
85,  89,  91,  95,  96,  97,  98, 101, 
102,  107,  108,  109,  113,  121, 
126,  132,  133,  134,  135,  139, 
143,  144,  146,  147,  153,  154, 
156,  158,  159,  160,  161,  162, 

165,  167,  171,  176,  182,  183, 
184,  185,  188,  189,  190,  196, 
198,  199,  200,  201,  203,  205, 
208,  210,  211,  212,  213,  216, 
217,  218,  219,  220,  224,  225, 
228,  229,  231,  233,  234,  237, 
239,  240,  241,  242,  243,  244, 
245,  247,  249,  250,  251,  252, 
253,  256,  260,  267,  270,  271, 
272,  273,  274,  275,  276,  277, 
278,  283,  288,  289,  290,  291, 
293,  294,  297,  298,  299,  300, 
302,  303,  304,  3<>8,  309,  313, 
314,  315,  316,  317,  319,  321, 
324,  327,  328,  330,  333,  338, 
340,  341,  343,  344,  347,  348, 
349,  350,  358,  361,  362,  363, 
364,  366,  367,  368,  372,  384, 
385,  394,  397,  398,  399,  400, 
403,  406,  407,  409,  412,  413, 
414,  418,  419,  421,  429,  435. 

petition  of,  1,  25,  35,  59,  60, 
61,  65,  74,  79,  87,  100,  125, 

166,  181,  214,  223,  261,  269, 
281,  318,  352,  431. 

tax  on,  33. 

to  put  law  into  execution, 
299. 
Inoculation,  181,  223,  282,  284,  303,  305,  307, 
309. 
repeal  of  law  against,  304. 
sum  allowed  for,  304. 
Instruction  for  female  children,  17. 
Island,  Rainslbrd,  188,  223,  282,  284,  309, 

360. 
Ivers,  treasurer,  35,  72. 

Jackson,  Henry,  59,  245,  277,  312,  314,  320, 
350,  385,  410,  411,  412,  419,  430. 
Jonathan,  112,  125, 146. 
Jarvis,  Benjamin,  110. 

Charles,  25,  64,  74,  83,  r90,  91, 125, 
148,  157,  159, 171,  195, 196,  201,  207, 
218,  229,  238,  240,  255,  256,  260,261, 
265,  267,  272,  282,  286,  289,  294,  303, 
310,  311, 312,  317,  326,  330,  332, 333, 
347,  354,  357,  358,  374,  383,  393,  395, 
406,  428,  430. 
Dr.,  395,  407,  411,  429. 
Leonard,  113, 114, 141,  314,  348. 
Mr.,  36, 
Nathaniel,  109. 
Philip,  201. 
Samuel,  374. 
William,  324. 
Jay,  John,  407,  410. 
Jeffries,  David,  5,  53,  88,  92,  93,  95,  97, 138, 

141, 149,  172, 173,  197,  258. 
Jenkins,  John,  4,  8,  56. 
Jennings,  William,  387,  423. 


Jepson,  Benjamin,  304,  305,  30S,  329,  352, 
360,  388,  421,  426,  434. 
Samuel,  173,  401. 
Johnson,  Benjamin,  420,  425. 

Seth,  227. 
Jones,  Daniel,  290,  291. 

Edward,  191,  279,  322,  353,  387,  423. 
John  Coffin,  4,  5,  64,  75,  80, 112, 114, 
146, 148, 159,  171,  211,  219,  229,  237, 
246,  256,  281,  287,  289,  303,  310,  311, 
312,  317,  320,  326,  330,  347,  351,  355, 
357,  362,  364,  374,  383,  393,  428,  430. 
Samuel,  422. 
Jurors,  26,  27,  38,  39,  239,  270. 
allowance  to,  381. 
award  damages  for  land  taken, 

375,  378. 
list  of,  26,  241,  341. 
manner  of  choosing,  241,  341. 
petit,  241,  341. 
Justices,  95,  109,  225. 
fines,  117. 
of  the  peace,  95, 193,  226,  296,  297, 

374,  375,  378. 
salary  of,  381. 

Kenedy,  John,  425. 
Kennebeck,  97. 
Kettle,  Joseph,  306. 
Keyer,  John,  353. 
Kingsbury,  Benjamin,  223. 
Kirkland,  Rev.  Mr.,  417. 
Kneeland,  Bartholomew,  8,  19. 

John,  255,  282,  287,  306,  328. 

Mr.,  179. 

Laha,  Samuel,  188,  223. 
Lambert,  John,  62. 

Lamps,  expense  of  lighting,  32,  33,  35,  70, 
150,  267,  288,  359,  402,  434. 
lamplighters,  allowance  to,  107, 

150. 
lighting  of,  to  be  discontinued, 

147,  331. 
measures  for  lighting,  265. 
presented  by  Wm.  Foster,  45. 
to  be  lighted,  288. 
Lampson,  John,  55. 

Land  given  town  near  Dock  Square,  76. 
by  the  late  Town  Treas- 
urer, 97. 
Mr.     Tisdale    and 
Wendell,  87. 
grant  of,  for  hospital,  389. 
owners : 
Bangs,  Samuel,  377. 
Blanchard,  George,  376. 
Brewer,  Thomas,  376. 
Clouston,  Lois,  377, 
Davis,  Thomas,  375. 
Dawes,  Thomas,  376,  377. 
Dillaway,  Samuel,  377. 
Gees,  widdow,  225. 
Gray,  John,  heirs  of,  376. 
Newman,  Henry,  225. 
Richardson,  Jeffrey,  375. 
Savage,  Samuel  P.,  377. 
Tate,  James,  377. 
purchased  for  almshouse,  398,  399, 
400. 
State  House,  397. 
town's  petition  to  build  on,  215. 
sale  of,  432. 
Landman,  Deacon,  180. 
Lanes,  Alden,  ISO. 
Allen,  178. 
Barrack,  179. 
Belcher,  179. 
Cold,  180. 

Cow,  179,  355,  374,  375,  376,  377. 
Davis,  179. 
Fitch,  179. 
Frog,  178. 
Gray,  179. 


450 


City  Document. 


Lanes,  Gridley,  179. 
Kneeland,  179. 
Longe,  179. 
Lyndall,  179. 
Mackrel,  179. 
Pitts,  180. 
Pudding,  179. 
Ridgway,  180. 
Round,  179. 
Sheaf,  179. 
Southack,  179. 
Tanner,  179. 
Tilley,  178. 
Langdon,  Mr.,  425. 

Langford,  Arthur,  103, 140, 190,  222,  253. 
Langley,  George,  8. 
Larkin,  Ebenezer,  386. 
Lathrop,  John,  387,  420. 
Laughton,  Joseph,  168. 
Laws  against  monopoly  and  forestalling, 
266,  267. 
code  of,  96. 
excise,  274,  333,  336. 
preventing  persons   obtruding 

themselves  on  any  town,  299. 
prohibiting    theatrical    entertain- 
ments, 312,  313. 
relative  to  building  with  wood,  372. 
cord  wood,  299. 
dogs,  82,  83, 
strangers,  96. 
respecting  cows  and   bulls,  re- 
pealed, 194. 
revision  of,  372. 
suits,  39. 

to  be  read  at  town  meeting,  2, 24, 52, 
68,  96,  113,  133,  148,  160,  171,  184, 
196,  216,  228,  243,  256,  276,  2S9,  319, 
330,  349,  358,  383,  394,  418,  429, 
to  punish  destruction  of  town  prop- 
erty, 325. 
Leather,  sealers  of,  choice  of,  7,  56, 102, 
137,  163,  187,  222,  248,  279,  322,  353,  387, 
422. 
Legislature,  the,  28,  40,  50,  78, 129, 130, 297, 
298,  299,  300,  313,  314,  315,  317,  363,  372, 
408,  412. 
Letter,  circular,  367. 

about    dividing   County 

of  Suffolk,  23. 
from  committee,  town  of 

Milton,  23. 
printed  and  sent  to  sev- 
eral towns,  125, 126,  127, 
128,  129,  130,  131,  132. 
to  selectmen,  125. 
commutation,  13,  14. 
from  Andrews,  John,  223. 

Bowdoin,  James,  275,  295. 
committee,  town  of  Wren- 
tham  and  Medway,  3. 
answer,  12, 13,  14. 
Davis,  Caleb,  25. 
Dawes,  Thomas,  196. 
Foster,  William,  45. 
Franklin's  executors,  233. 
Gore,  Christopher,  214. 
Hancock,  Gov.,  154. 
Russell,  Thomas,  196. 
Thompson,  William,  216. 
Tyler,  Edward,  223. 
Wendell,  Oliver,  199. 
Winthrop,  John,  231. 

Mr.,  328. 

of  resignation,  200. 
to  Crane,  Thomas,  24. 

Franklin's  executors,    234,  235, 

238.    • 
President,  410. 
Lewis,  Amos,  420. 

David,  283,  323,  352,  386. 
Lillie,  Joseph,  326. 

Lincoln,  Benjamin,  15,16,  62,  63,64,112, 
145, 169,  170,  194,  195,  227,  326. 


Lincoln,  County  of,  97. 

Levi,  311. 
List  of  jurors,  26,  241,  341. 

salaries  published,  200. 
Little,  William,  250,  273,276,  314,319,320, 
331,  348,  349,  350,  354,  383,  384,  385,  389, 
390,  395,  396,  406,  418,  419,  430. 
Lord's  Day,  41,  57,  108,  247,  278,  297,  321, 
350,  385,  421.      ■ 
constables   to  walk   streets 
on,  107, 147, 191. 
Loring,  John  F.,  422. 

Jonathan,  390,  401. 

Joseph,  60,  142,  163,  190,  222,  253, 

280,  325,  354,  388,  423. 

Mathew,  322,  353,  387,  422. 

Lothrop,  John,  111,  211,  216,  218,  246,  281, 

303,  320,  324,  348,  351,  424. 
Lotteries,  214. 
Lovel  (Lovell),  James,  139. 

John,  110, 161. 
Solomon,  287. 
Low,  Widow,  376,  379,  381,  426. 
Lowder,  William,  8,  36,  58,  101,  136,  164, 

188,  220,  247,  278,  323,  329 
Lowell,  John,  4, 11, 12, 15,  43,  45,  52,  54,  59, 

63,  100, 112, 134,  145, 190, 195,  218,  382. 
Lucas,  John,  2,  8,  25,  56,  59,  61,  64,  74,  79, 
80,  90,  92,  112,  132,  210,  223,  224,  238,  245, 
248,  273,  279,  306, 312,  314,  322,  353. 
Lumber,  31,32,  51,  70. 
Lyman,  Theodore,  334,  335,  430. 
Lynn  street,  application  of  abutters  on, 
341. 
to  be  widened,  90. 


Machine-wind,  369. 

Mackay,  Mungo,  6,  132,  210,  284,  320,  350, 
385,  419. 
William,  2,  53. 
Magistrates,  28,  39,  40,  210,  226. 
Magnor,  John,  428,  430. 
Maine,  310. 

Makepeace,  George,  192,  202,  426,  431,  433. 
Mall,  400. 

enlarged,  396. 
Manufacturers,  77. 

Market,  9,  10,  41,  45,  49,  50,  65,  74,  150,  250, 
295,  299,  356,  362,  363. 
cellar  under,  396. 
clerks  of  the,  choice  of,  4, 7, 54, 55, 
101,  104,  107,  135,   139,    162, 
165,168,172,186,191,192,  201, 
219, 221, 245, 247, 250, 278, 284, 
295, 324,  328,  353,  386,  422. 
duties  of,  10,  45,  49,  224,  225, 

299 
give  bond,  219,  224. 
memorial  of,  45. 
office  for,  10. 

salary  of,  31,  32,  41,101,219, 
299. 
contract  for  hiring  stalls  in,  250, 
251.. 
abatement  on  contract, 
291. 
fish,  121,  361. 

forestalling  the,  251,  266,  299,  362. 
hay,  37,  70,  232,  398. 
horses  and  cattle,  10. 
income  from,  198,  291. 
lemon-sellers,  10,  46. 
panyards,  10. 
regulations  of,  9,  10,  46,  49,  61,  93, 

250,  251,  363. 
bv-laws  for  regulation,  47. 
rent  of,  30,  72,  172. 
stalls  and  stands  in,  10,  33,  45,  46, 

49,  250,  291,  299,  362. 
vegetables  sold  in,  251. 
weights  and  measures  in, 251, 266, 

299 
Square,  87,  225,  291,  362,  363. 


Index. 


451 


Market  Square,  erecting  stalls  in,  265,  266, 
292. 
Are  in  building  on,  121. 
Marshall,  William,  178. 
Marston,  David,  190,  222,  254. 
John,  55. 
William,  60,  222. 
Marys,  John,  36. 
Mason,  Deacon,  396. 

Jonathan,  3,  53,  61,  102,  114,  134, 
139,  144,  160,  161,  166, 167, 170, 171, 
185, 188,  192,  1«5,  196,  211,216,  217, 
218,  219,  227,  229,  237, 238, 240, 244, 
245,  246,  255,  256,  260,  273, 277, 281, 
282,  284,  287,  288,  289, 294,319,  326, 
330,  350,  357,  384,  385,  386,  393,  395, 
428,  430,  431,  432. 
Mr.,  293. 

Stephen  Thompson,  407,  410. 
Masons,  31. 

Massachusetts,  16,  24,  38,  64,  68,  69,  113, 
148,  171,  196,  228,  241,  242, 
256,  269,  289,  292,  311,  316, 
330,  358,  394,  429. 
Bay,  374. 

people    of,    formed 
solemn     compact, 
127. 
Master,  Manasseh,  103. 
Maston,  Manassah,  60, 140, 166,  190,  222. 
May    (Mays),    Aaron,  22,  36,  37. 
E.,  31. 
Enoch,  232,  283,  323,  352, 

386,  420. 
Ephraim,  148,  414. 
John,  59,  78,  101,  134,  162, 

186, 188,  202. 
Joseph,  164,  168,  192,  287, 
290,291,320,350,351,353, 
385,  419,  431. 
Moses,  8,  36,  58,  101,  136, 
166,  190,  221,  279,  321,  374, 
378,  381. 
Samuel,  19,  61,  70. 
Mayo,  Simeon,  110. 
Thomas,  426. 
McElroy,  John,  60, 103. 
McFarland,  John,  261. 
McLane,  John,  104, 139, 189,  220. 
McNeal  (McNiel,  McNeil),  Archibald,  318, 
370. 
Mr.,  36,  375. 
William,  7,  55, 
108,    137,  164, 
190,    221,  248, 
279,    322,  353, 
370. 
Medfield,  38. 
Medway,  3, 12, 13, 14,  38. 
Meeting,  county,  3, 13. 

of  merchants  and  traders,  68. 
Meeting-houses,  old  brick,  262,  301,  339, 
365. 
old    South,  43,  177,  236, 
302,  339,  348,  405,  428, 
429. 
stone  chapel,  85,  86,  119, 
155,  204,  412. 
Melville  (Melvil,  Melvillee),  Thomas,  4, 11, 
12,    54,  100, 
134,161,186, 
218,  245, 277, 
320,  350, 385, 
419. 
Memorial  in  Congress,  429. 
of  school-masters,  362. 
Memorialists,  38,  39,  40. 
Merchants,  89. 

meeting,  340. 
resolutions  of,  68. 
Meriam,  John,  426. 
Metcalf,  John,  145,  170. 

Stephen,  64, 112,  145, 170, 195,  227, 
255,  286,  326. 


Middlesex,  county  of,  23,  26,  38,  310. 

district  of,  316,  327. 
Militia,  373. 

mode  of  drawing  men  from,  373. 
wages  of,  373. 
Mill  bridge,  360,361. 

pond,  312. 
Miller,  Charles,  9,  22,  37, 171,  353,  422. 
Mr.,  87. 
Stephen,  115. 
Mills,  North  Chocolate,  74,  79. 
Milton,  23,  26. 
Minot,  George  B.,  211. 

George  R.,   219,  229,  246,  281,  282, 
290,  320,  351,  368,  388,  399,  400,  410, 
411,  420. 
James,  7. 
Judge,  413,  415. 
Moderator,  choice  of,  1,  2,  11,  12,  23,  25,  37, 
43,  44,  49,  51,  53,  64,  68,  70,  80,  85,  86,  89, 
95,  96, 114,  115,  117, 119, 120, 124, 132, 133, 
144,  148,  155,  157,  159,  160, 171, 177,  181, 
182,  184,  189,  196,  204,  205,214,216,229, 
233,  235,  237,  242,  243,  257,262,263,  264, 
265,  272,  276,  289,  301,  302,  304,  312,  318, 
319,  328,  331,  334,  339,  340,  341,  342,  343, 
347,  349,  359,  363,  365,  366,  367, 368, 373, 

382,  383,  390,  405,  406,  410,411,414,416, 
417,  418,  428,  430,  431,  432. 

Monies,  4,  5, 10, 11,  13,  22,  50,  65,  77,  83,  89, 
97,  117,  121,  136,  138, 141, 151, 154, 
165,  187,  191,   193,  220,  230,  231, 
247,  249,  259,  260,  267,  278,  279, 
298,  299,  324,  332,  335,  338,  344, 
345,  346,  352,  364,  367,  389,  396, 
400,  404,  408,  416,  420,  421,  433, 
advanced  by  Alex.  Hill,  61. 
appropriation  of,  33,  34,  35. 
borrowed  from  banks,  397,  399. 
due  Jeffries,  David,  88,  93, 149. 
May,  Aaron,  37. 
from  Coll.  of  taxes,  34,  61, 
71,  72,  73. 
State  treasurer,  34,  71. 
Are,  18. 
for  fire-arms,  72. 

payment  of  bounties,  373. 
reward,  for  discovery  of  in- 
cendiary, 122. 
stands  in  market,  49. 
support  of   poor,  22,  34,  70, 
132,  230,  275,  403. 
interest  on,  to  overseers  of  poor, 

9,  57,  103,  138,  141,  177. 
new  emission,  22,  30. 
of  town  treasurer,  30,  70, 149,  172, 
173,   197,  233,  258,  292,  337,  359, 
360,  401,  433. 
old  continental,  149. 

paper,  71,  173, 197,  258. 
paid  for  damages  for  land  taken, 

345,  346,  381. 
received  of  bondsmen,  124. 

by  treasurer,  34. 
to  raise,  32,  34,  67,  83, 122, 154,  2S3, 
259,   260,  261,   278,  293,  321,  337, 
338,   361,  366,  397,  402,   403,  416, 
435. 
to  raise  for  the  poor,  132, 177, 398, 
400. 
Monopoly,  77,  266. 
Montague,  Bev.  Mr.,  184. 
Morrel,  James,  247. 

William,  192. 
Morse,  Eliakim,  386,  397. 
Morton,  Perez,  25,  74,  92, 157,  247,  266,  268, 
294,  306,  312,  314,  317,  347,  359,  362,  369, 

383,  401,  406,  430. 

Natick,  38. 

Nazro,  Mathew,  31,  54,  70, 101, 135, 150,  162, 

173,  176,  186,  219,  258,  292. 
Neat,  John,  7,  55. 
Neck,  the.    (See  Boston  Neck.) 


452 


City  Document. 


Needham,  38. 
Negroes,  156. 
New  Boston,  181. 
Newell,  Timothy,  3,  5,  19, 116,  180. 
Newman  Henry,  122,  124,  221,  225. 
Newspapers,  11,  44,  86,  120,  155,  177,  181, 
204,  208,  236,  263,  275,  298, 
301,339,366,390,  405. 
Boston  Gazette,  391. 
Centinel,  250,  391,  340. 
North  Battery,  sale  of  land  on,  74, 144. 
wreck  near,  202. 
wharf,  allowance  for  re- 
pairs, 62. 
North  Chocolate  Mills,  74,  79. 
End,  59. 
grammar  school,  20,  21,  83,  84,  105, 

106,  153, 175,  201. 
Latin  school,  215. 
mills,  352. 

reading  school,  390. 
writing  school,  20,  21,  83,  84,  106, 
152,  153,  174,  175,  198,  208,  209,  210. 
Notes,  30,  71,  149,  259,  260,  292. 

from  Treasurer,  45,  57,  98,  118, 121, 
136,  165,  187,  220,  249,  279,  338,  352, 
389,  421. 
given  by  committee,  397. 
interest  on,  30,  151,  198,  426. 
old,  425. 

State  Treasurers,  260. 
treasury,  260. 
Nottage,  Josiah,  192. 
Noyes,  Nathaniel,  351. 
Nuttage,  Josiah,  221.    - 
Nye,  Joseph,  382. 
Nyles,  Samueli,  15,  64, 112, 195. 

Oath  of  allegiance,  133,  135,  160,  161,  162, 
164, 185,  189,  217,  219. 
office,  243,  245,  276,   277,  319,  321, 
349,  384,  418. 
Officers,  army,  13. 

commutation  to,  13,  14. 
Oliver,  Andrew,  192,  255. 

Ebenezer,  431. 
Oliver's  dock,  100, 142,  143. 
Oration,    on    anniversary   of    Indepen- 
dence, 43,  44,  85,  86,  119,  155, 
177,  204,  236,  262,  301,  339,  365, 
405. 
choice  of  orator,  43,  85,  119, 155, 
177,  204,  236,  262,  301,  339,  365, 
405. 
copy   of,   to  be    furnished    the 
Press,  44,  86,  120,  155,  177,  204, 
236,263,  301,366,405. 
to   be   delivered   at    Old    brick 
church, 
262,  301, 
339,  365. 
Old  South 
church, 
43,    177, 
236,  302, 
339,  348, 
405,  428, 
429. 
Stone 
chapel, 
85,     86, 
119, 155, 
204,412. 
Orne,  Azor,  227,  255,  311,  326,  357. 
Otis,  Allen,  69. 

Harrison  Gray,  177,  290,303,  314,  318, 

326,  383,  396,  430. 
Mr.,  177. 

Samuel  A.,  24,  36,  64,  76,  112, 114, 148, 
157, 158,  183. 
Overseers  of  the  Poor.    (See  Poor.) 
Owen,  John,  60,  103,  140,  166,  190,  222. 

Packer,  Dr.,  ISO. 


Page,  Benjamin,  11,  58,  102,  140,  162,  190, 
221, 253,  280,  323,  354,  388,  422. 
John,  305. 
Palmer,  General,  146. 

Joseph,  144. 
Pamphlet,  containing  prescriptions,  328. 
printed  at  Philadelphia,  407. 
relative  to  the  police,  273. 
Panyards,  10. 
Parker,  Benjamin,  425. 

Daniel,  9,  32,  58,  71,  73,  108,  117, 

149, 172, 173. 
Jedediah,  8. 
John,  132,  168,  277. 
Margaret,  99, 108. 
Mr.,  31,  151, 169,  202. 
Parkett,  Henry,  280. 
Parkman,  Elias,  112, 123, 184. 
Major,  19. 
Mr.,  391. 

Samuel,  53,    102,  134,  144,  161, 
165,  1S5, 186,  217,  245,  277,  319, 
320,  350,  384,  385,  419,  430. 
William,  163,  190,  222,  253,  280, 
325,  355,  3S9,  423. 
Parks,  Henry,  103. 
Parsons,  Ebenezer,  4,  430. 
Theophilus,  311. 

William,  22,  57,  61,  99,  103,  138, 
430. 
Partridge,  Elizabeth,  425. 
Joshua,  12. 
Mr.,  173, 

Samuel,  3,  54,  258,  292. 
Patten,  William,  4,  55,  98. 
Pavers,  31. 

Paving.    (See  Streets.) 
Payne  (Paine),  Edward,  3,  9,  25,  32, 35,  57, 
61,64,73,88,100,103,110, 
125,  134,137,138. 
Judge,  272. 
Robert,  311. 
Robert  Treat,  25,  45,  49, 

51,  88. 
Samuel,  19. 
T.,  94. 

William,  324. 
Payson,  Samuel,  106. 
Pease,  Timothy,  Jr.,  222. 
Peck,  John,  353. 
Peirce,  Joseph,  243,  249,  353. 
Mr.,  394,  401,  426,  433. 
Penalties  or  fines,  117,  172,  197. 
Perkins,  James,  139,  162,  189,  220,  249,  290, 
323,  324,  352,  386. 
Thomas,  101,  425. 
Thomas  H.,  277. 
Petition  for  alterations  in  Act  relating  to 
citizenship,  206. 
bulls  on  the  common,  60. 
calling  meeting,  51. 
lottery,  214. 

more  efficient  police,  272,  274. 
new  street,  290. 
paving  streets,  171,  176,  281. 
road  from   West  Boston  to 

North  End,  59. 
selling  part  of  common,  413- 
watch  in  State  Street,  60. 
granted,  60. 
of  Abbot,  Samuel,  188. 
assessors,  203,  413,  414. 
Ballard,  John,  74. 

Mr.,  41,  45,  61,  65. 
Beals,  Thomas,  116. 
Carter,  Mr.,  2bl,  2S4,  290. 
Clouston,  Lois,  431,  433. 
Cobbit,  Nathaniel,  74. 
collectors  of  taxes,  423,  433. 
constables,  148, 149, 159. 
Cookson,  Samuel,  224. 
Cunningham,  Joseph,  164. 

Mary,  164. 
Darracott,  William,  390,  401. 


Index. 


453 


Petition  of  Davis,  Samuel,  197. 
William,  136. 
Daw,  Samuel,  200. 
directors  of  W.  Boston  bridge, 

318. 
Eames.  Luther,  382. 
Edes,  Peter,  8». 
eleven  towns,  38. 
Fire  Insurance  Co.,  67,  75,  78. 
Fuller,  Moses,  265,  266,268,  269. 
Gray,  Katharine,  42. 

Mr.,  46. 
Hancock,  Gov.,  59, 141,  154. 
Harris,  Giles,  287. 
Hill,  Alexander,    61,  67,  261, 

265. 
Hinkley,  John,  123. 
Holbrook,  Jirah,  290,  321,  351, 
355. 
John,  281,283. 
Jackson,  Henry,  410,  412. 
Jarvis,  Mr.,  36. 
Jones,  Daniel,  290,  291. 
Kingsbury,  Benjamin,  223. 
Laha,  Capt.,  223. 
Lambert,  John,  62. 
Loring,  Jonathan,  390,  401. 
Makepeace,  George,  192,  202. 
Mary,  John,  36. 
Mason,  Mr.,  288,  293,  294. 
May,  Aron,22,  36. 

John,  188,  202. 
McNeil,  Mr.,  36. 
number  of  blackmen,  168. 

inhabitants,   1,   25, 
35,  59,  60,   61,  65, 
74,  79,  87,  100, 125, 
166,  181,  214,   223, 
261,  269,  281,  318, 
352,  431. 
Palmer,  Joseph,  144, 146. 
Parker,  Margaret,  99,  108. 
Pierpont,  Robert,  417. 
proprietors  of  land  on  neck, 

100. 
Richardson,  Jeffery,  318. 
Russel,  Thomas,  51. 
Salter,  Richard,  139. 
Sargent,  Col.,  202. 
school-masters,  362. 
selectmen,  60,  389. 
Sergeant,  Paul,  192. 
several  sextons,  116. 
Sigoney,  Elisha,  123. 
Sigourney,  Daniel,  41. 
Sumner,  Benjamin,  87. 
Sweetser,  John,  281,  284. 
Tate,  James,  431,  433. 
thirteen  towns,  49. 

answer  to,  50, 
51. 
Thomas,  Alexander,  90,  92,  99, 

108,  123. 
Thompson,    James,    362,   364, 

365. 
Thwing,  James,  424,  433. 
Tileston,  Mr.,  138. 
Torrey,  Jonaah,  109. 

Josiah,  99. 
Vinal,  master,  122. 
Whipple,  Joseph,  188,  223,  282, 
284. 
relative  to  hackney  coaches,  247. 
Hog  Alley,  231,  232. 
money  due    heirs  of 
David  Jeffries,  138. 
Oliver's  dock,  100. 
pulling  down  Town's 

Shop,  331. 
Sea  Street,  99. 
ten-foot  passageway, 
424,  425,  433. 
to    build    bridge   over   Charles 
river,  51, 


Petition   to   build  cellar  under  market, 
396. 
divide  County  of  Suffolk,  23, 

29,  38. 
against   dividing  Countv  of 
Suffolk,  38,  39,  40,  269,"  270, 
271,  272. 
form  new  County,  26,  29. 
General  Court,  51,  52,  SO,  203, 

230,  265. 
House   of    Representatives, 

429. 
Incorporate  town,  89,  91,  93. 
prevent  inroads  of  the  sea  on 

Neck,  59. 
repeal  theatre  act,  312,  314. 
widen  street,  87. 
Philadelphia,  342,  343,  360,  361,  407. 
Phillips,  Dr.,  178. 

Isaac,  4,  46,  54,  50. 
John,  365,  366. 

Samuel,  255,  286,  311,  357,  392. 
William,  3,  15,  24,  53,  64,  102, 112, 
134,  140,  145,  157,  158,  159,  161, 
169,  170,  185,  194,  217,  227,  245, 
255,  277,  286,  319,  326,  334,  335, 
350,  384,  396,  418. 
Physicians,  31,  303,  304,  308,  412. 
Pico,  Joshua,  60,  103, 140,  163,  190,  222. 
Pierce,  Ezekiel,  123. 

Isaac,  8. 
Piercies,  Mr.,  180. 
Pierpont,  Hannih,  417. 

Robert,  396,  417. 
Pitts,  John,  15, 179. 
Police,  25,  240,  266,  360,  361,  362. 
duty  of,  297,  298,  364. 
inspectors  of,  296,  297,  299,  364. 
method  of  choosing,  297,  298. 
petition  for  more  efficient,  272,274. 
salary  of,  298,  364,  365. 
to  give  bonds,  298. 
Poor,    better   accommodations    for,    392, 
395,  398. 
expense  of,  at  Rainsford  Island, 

30. 
flre-wood  for,  275. 
inoculation  of,  304. 
State,  252,  260. 
suitable  buildings  for,  294. 
support  of,  22,  31,  32,  70,  132, 177, 
230,  275,  403. 
Poor,  overseers  of  the,  2,  3,  5,  6,  9, 12, 18, 

31,  41,  54,57,97, 
98,  103,  135,  138, 
140,  141,  153,  154, 
177,  230,  274,  303, 
304,  305,  307,  308, 
354,  356,  386,  403, 
419,  424. 

accounts  of,  to 
audit,  9,  30,  31, 

32,  57,   103,   138, 
147, 164,  191,  223, 
233,  247,  257,  278,  ' 
291,  321,  352,  359, 
387,  420. 

allowed  intere  s  t 
on  money  a  d- 
vanced  for  use 
of  the  poor,  9, 
57,  103,  138,  141, 
177. 

choice  of,  3,  6,  53, 
102,  134,  142,  147, 
160,  161,  185,  217, 
232,  245,  277,  319, 
350,  384,  391,  418, 
425. 

drafts  of,  30, 32, 33, 
34,  70,  71,  149, 
151, 172,  173,  197, 
257,  258,  337,  361, 
402,  435. 


454 


City  Document. 


Powder,  32, 173,  258,  292,  337,  401,  426,  433. 

storage  of,  150,  360. 
Powell,  Jeremiah,  15. 

William,  3,  53,  64,  87,  102, 134,  314. 
Pownal  (Pownall),  John,  20,  55. 
Premium,  to  first  engine  at  a  fire,  89. 
Prentice  (Prentiss),  Henry,  6,  10,  41,  53, 

87,  102,  134, 140,  168,  172,  215,  237. 
Prescott,  Oliver,  311. 
President,  address  to  the,  211,  212,  213. 
reply  of,  213. 
visit  of,  207. 
Price,  Ezekiel,  2,  20,  23,  29,  44, 45,  48, 53,  90, 
92,  95,  96,  97,  104,  114,  115,  123,  133, 
135,  161,  185,  217,  226,  234,  243,  244, 
257,  260,  264,  265,  269,  276, 278,  284, 
291,  302,  319,  321,  337,  349,  374,  378, 
381,  384,  385,  404,  418,  425. 
James,  139. 
Prince,  J.,  172,  19S. 

James,  188,  191,  192,  210,  245,  266, 

273,  285, 290,  323. 
Job,  19,  112,  180. 
Printers,  31,  70,  391. 
Printing,  hand-bills,  275. 

letter  to  committee  of  towns  of 

Wrentham  and  Medway,  14. 
notifications,  31. 
oration  commemorative  of  the 
Anniversary    of    Independ- 
ence, 44,  86,  120,  155,  177,  204, 
236,  263,  301,  339,  366,  405. 
paid  for,  70, 150,  360,  402,  434. 
pamphlet  at  Philadelphia,  407. 
relative  to  police,  273. 
resolves,  relative   to  paupers, 
424. 
Privateers,  false  report  of,  published  in 

Centinel,  340. 
Proctor  (Procter),  Col.,  11, 12, 165, 189. 

Edward,  3,  47,  53,  54, 
59,  100,  102,  104,  134, 
161,185,186,  217,  218, 
244,  277,  319,  350,  374, 
378,  381,  384,  418,  425. 
"  John,  19. 
Proposals  from  Mr.  Tisdale  and  Wendell 

to  give  land  to  widen  street,  87. 
Propositions    for   instruction    of    both 
sexes,  205. 
reforming  present 
system    of    educa- 
tion,   205,    208,    209, 
210. 
Provisions,  high  price  of,  267,  413,  414, 
423. 
violations  of  laws  relative  to 
sale  of,  to  punish,  266,  267. 
Publick  Buildings,  illumination  of,  1. 

Prints,  11. 
Pullin  (Pulling),  Edward,  310. 
John,  8,  36,  58. 
Pump  in  Cornhill,  431. 
Purez,  Mr.,  433. 

Purket   (Purkett),  Henry,  142,  163,  222, 
253,325,355,389,423. 
Thomas,  190. 
Putnam,  Jesse,  348,  391. 

Queen  street.    (See  Streets), 
Quincy  (Quincey),  Josiah,  431. 

il/rs.,432. 

Samuel,  244. 

Rainsfords  Island,  30,  188,  223,  282,  284, 

309,  360. 
Ranger,  Edmund,  11,  58, 102,  137,  140,  162, 

163,  190,  221,  257,  280,  324,  354,  388,  422. 
Real  estate,  selling  of  towns,  396,  397,  398, 

399,  400. 
Records,  town,  115. 
Recruits  for  the  army,  373. 
Reed  (Read),  John,  145,  195,  227,  255,  286, 
326,  346. 


Reed  (Read),  Sampson,  427. 
Regiment,  Boston,  373. 
Register,  County,  choice  of,  98,  114,  122, 
243,257,263,264. 
of  deeds,  choice  of,  114, 115, 123, 
244,  257,  263,  264,  419. 
Regulations  of  the  market,  9, 10, 46,  49,  61, 

93,250,251,363. 
Remonstrances  against  dividing  County 

of  Suffolk,  269,  270,  271,  272. 
Rents,  30,  32,  33,  34,  72,  172,  173,  197,  258, 

292,  360. 
Reports  of  committees,  5, 10, 12, 16, 18,  19, 
20,  21,  26,  29,  30,  32,  35,  36,  38,  41,  42,  43, 
45,  46,  47,  48,  49,  51,  52,  65,  67,  70,  73,  74, 
75,  76,  78,  79,  80,  81,  82,  83,  85,  87,  91,  92, 
93,  94,  95,  103,  104,  105,  107, 108,  109,  116, 
117, 118,  119,  120,  121,  122,  124,  138,  139, 
140, 141, 142, 143,  144,  146,  149,  152,  154, 
155,  157, 158, 164,  167,  168,  174,  176,  182, 
191, 193,  197, 198,  199,  200,  201,  202,  203, 
204,  206,  207,  208,  224,  229,  230,  231,  233, 
234,  235,  236,  238,  239,  240,  243,  250,  251, 
253,  257,  258,  259,  261,  262,  265,  266,  267, 
268,  273,  283,  284,  285,  288,  290,  291,  293, 
295,  296,  297,  303,  304,  307,  308,  313,  314, 
317,  324,  329,  332,  334,  336,  337,  339,  342, 
344,  348,  355,  356,  359,  362,  367,  368,  371, 
381,  382,  397,  398,  401,  402,  404,  407,  412, 
414,415,416.425,431,433. 
Representatives,  25,  68,  118,  123,  129,  130, 
141,  184,   196,   199,  215, 
216,  266,  267,  293,  294, 
314,  316,   325,  333,  358, 
372,  373,  417. 
choice  of,  24,  25,  69, 113, 
114,  148,  156,  159,  160, 
171,  181,  182,  195,   196, 
199,  200,  201,  214,  228, 
229,  231,  242,  256,  289, 
300,  327,  330,  358,  395, 
429,  430. 
house  of,  38,  49,  269,  313. 
instructions  to,  52, 76, 77, 
78, 115,  149. 
Requisitions  in  form  of  law,  203. 
Resolutions  for  relief  of  sufferers  of  fire, 
366. 
repeal  of  law  against  the- 
atrical entertainments, 
314,  315. 
of  merchants,  68. 
on  payment  of  town's  debt, 
259,  260. 
Resolve  relative  to  paupers,  424. 
Revenue,  77,  216. 
Revere,  Paul,  210.  273,  314. 
Reward  for  discovery  of  incendiary,  122. 
persons      de- 
stroying public 
property,      324, 
325. 
Rhodes  (Rhoades),  Jacob,  4,  54,  101,  134, 

161, 186,  218,  245,  250,  305. 
Rice,  Thomas,  387,  422. 
Richardson,  Jeffery,  220,  248,  279,  318,  322, 
353, 370, 375,  379, 381, 387, 422. 
John,  194,  195. 
Mr.,  401. 
William,  353. 
Ridge  Hill,  369,  370. 
Ridgway,  James,  137, 163. 
Joseph,  432,  433. 
Robbins  (Robins),  Edward  H.,  286,  393, 
427. 
James,  253,   280,    324, 
354,  388,  422. 
Rogers,  James,  11,  58,  102,  140,  162,  190, 
221,  253,  280,  323. 
John  Goreham,  55. 
Thomas,  7,  247. 
William,  56. 
Rope-walks,  179,  180,  318,  368,  372,  375,  389, 
401,403,414,416. 


Index. 


455 


Rope-walks,  consumed  by  Are,  366. 

erection  of  new,  369,  370,  371. 
grants  of,  370. 
Rotterdam,  328. 
Rowe,  John,  15,  24,  81. 

Mr.,  72. 
Rows,  Mr.,  75. 
Roxbury,  26,  47,  50,  66, 143,  150,  416,  417. 

Line,  180. 
Ruddock,  Abiel,  8. 

John,  72,  81. 
Mr.,  31. 
Ruggles,  Samuel,  8,  9, 19,  36,  57,  58,  61,  98, 
101,  103,  110,  136,  164,  188,  221,  244,  247, 
257,  263,  264,  278,  323,  329,  351,  374,  378, 
381,385,421.' 
Rumley,  Edward,  392,  423. 
Rummerel  (Rumrill),  Abner,  220,  249. 
Russell  (Russel),  Benjamin,  210,  247,  287, 
391. 
Joseph,  6,  42,  57,  61,  92, 
103,   120,  138,  140,  151, 
157,  164,  167,   186,  188, 
191,  218,  223,  233,  237, 
238,  240,  245,  247,  266, 
277,  278,  303,  312,  314, 
320,  321,  331,  336,  338, 
349,  350,  351,  354,  364, 
368,  384,  385,  386,  396, 
397,  403,  414,  415,  419, 
420,  423,  4  4,  426,  427, 
430,  431,  432,  435. 
Mr.,    180,    317,  332,  333, 

383,  411,425. 
Thomas,    15,  51,  63,  64, 
112,  159,  171,  186,  196, 
218,  227,  245,  255,  277, 
286,  311,  322,  326,  348, 
357,  375,  376,  392,  393, 
427. 
Thomas  W.,  55. 
Treasurer,  282. 


Salaries  or  allowances,  assessors,  22,  31, 
32,  33,  35,  38,  57, 
70,  85,  107,  136, 
150,165,188,221, 
232,338,359,364, 
402, 403, 434, 435, 

Boyer,  Peter,  6, 
84, 107,  153,  176, 
200,  232. 

Carter,  James, 
20,  21,  83,    105, 

152. 174. 
Cheney,  Samuel, 

84, 106,  152,  153, 

174. 175. 

Clap,  Samuel, 
435. 

clerks  of  the  mar- 
ket, 31,  32,  41, 
101,  402,  434. 

collectors  of 
taxes,  165,  187, 
220,  240,  249, 
338. 

committee  of 
correspond- 
ence, 31. 

consideration  of, 
6. 

constables,  150, 
159,176,402,434. 

Cooper,  William, 
6,  84,  107,  153, 
175, 200, 232, 338, 
364,  403,  435. 

Davis,  Nathan, 
20,  21,  83,  152, 
153, 174, 175, 198. 

Davis,  Nathaniel, 
84, 105, 106. 


Salaries  of  allowances,  Dingley,  Amasa, 
153, 174. 

Director  of 
lamps,  107. 

hay-weigher,  299. 

Hunt,      Samuel, 

20,  21,  83,  105, 
152,  174,  198. 

jury,  381. 

justices,  381. 

listof  published, 
200. 

Nazro,  Mr.,  70, 
176. 

Payson,  Samuel, 
106. 

police,  298,  364, 
402,404,434,435. 

Russell,  Joseph, 
338,  364,  403. 

school-masters, 
18,  20,  31,  32,  33, 
34,  35,  70,  72,  8l), 
105,106,152,  154, 
174, 175, 199, 200, 
291,359,402,434. 

Sheriff,  381. 

Sticknor,  Elisha, 
174. 

Thompson, 
James,  364,  365. 

town  clerk,  6,  31, 

32,  33,  35,  70, 
107, 153,  200, 232, 
295,338,364,402, 
434,  435. 

town  treasurer, 
6,  31,  32,  33,  35, 
70, 107,  153,  232, 
295, 338, 364, 402, 
434,  435. 

Tyleston,    John, 
*  20,   21,    83,    84, 

105, 106, 152, 154, 
174,  175,  198. 

ushers,     22,     84, 
106, 150, 153, 175,  ' 
199,291,359,402, 
434. 

Vinal,  John,  20, 

21,  22,  84,  106, 
152, 153, 174, 175. 

watchmen,  31,32, 

33,  35,  70,  72, 
107,  359,  434. 

Waters,    Josiah, 
365,  404,  435. 
Salisbury,  Samuel,  250. 
Salt,  works,  144, 146. 
Salter,  Richard,  139. 

Sargeant  (Seargeant,  Sergeant,  Sergant, 
Sergent),  Daniel,  277. 

Dudley,  99, 101,  104, 110,  106, 

189,  202. 
Mr.,  192. 

PaulD.,20,  104,  116,  134,  162, 
186,  192,  361. 
Savage,  Abraham,  31,  72,  73,  88,  89,  149. 
173,361. 
Mr.,  360. 

Samuel  P.,  377,  380,  381. 
S.  V.,  426. 
Scavingers,  choice  of,  8,  56, 
Schools,  allowance  for  ink,  175. 
fuel  for,  18, 153,  175. 
government  in,  17,  215. 
grammar,  16. 

North,    20,    21,   83,  84, 

105,  106,  153,  175,  201. 

South,    20,  21,   83,  106, 

153,  175. 

in  South  quarter  of  town,  35, 166. 

216. 
Latin,  209. 


456 


City  Document. 


Schools,  Latin,  North,  215. 

number  of  children  in,  18,  79. 
private,  17, 18,  281. 
propositions  for  reforming  pres- 
ent system  of  public  education, 
205,  208,  209,  210. 
provisions  for  teaching  children 

of  the  poor,  17, 18. 
publicls,  17, 18. 
reading,  centre,  209,  210,  231. 
North,  390. 
School  street,  391. 
South,  208,  209. 
removal  of  scholars,  201. 
resolutions  on, 18,  19. 
selectmen  to  hire  new,  and  ap- 
point master,  166. 
usher,  18,22. 

salaries  of,  106,  150,  153, 
175,  291,  359,  434. 
visitation  of,  32,  70,  79,  150,  209, 

360,  403. 
writing,  centre,  208,  209. 

in  the  common,  21,  22. 

84,  106, 152,  153,  174, 

175,  390. 

Pleasant    street,  84., 

Queen  street,  20,  21, 

83, 105,  152,  174. 
North,  20,  21,  83,  84, 
106,    152,     153,    174, 
175,198,208,209,210. 
South,  60. 

master  for,  to 
appoint,   60. 
new  South,  20, 
84,   174,    178, 
208,  209. 
committee,  216,  219,  231,  261,  274, 
281,  284,  290,  305,  320, 
373,  388,  390,  420,  421, 
424. 
choice  of,  218,  245,  246, 
280,281,283,320,351, 
355,  387,  420,  425. 
commission  to,  215. 
report  of,  6,19,41,290, 

291. 
representation  of,  229, 

231. 
to  alter  present  sys- 
tem of  educa- 
tion, 281,284. 
carry  new  system 
into     operation, 
219,  246,  285,  320, 
351,  388,  420. 
consider  new  ar- 
rangements   of, 
16,  17,  207,  208. 
regulate  affairs  of 
school,    219,   246, 
285,  320,  351,  388, 
420. 
house,  182,  209,  215,  216,  231,  259, 
359,  361,  398. 
building  of  more,  46, 74, 79, 

215,231,261,292. 
contract  for  building  the 

North,  401. 
repairing,  expense  of,  31, 

70,  216,  361,  402,  434. 
temporary      accommo- 
dation for  children,  231. 
masters,  17,  18,  21,  22,  60,  79,  122, 
168,  192,   215,  219,   246, 
281,  284,  285,   290,   291, 
320,  351,  373,   388,  389, 
420. 
memorial    or    petition, 

362. 
punctual    payment   of, 
21,  137. 


Schools,  masters,  regulations  about  teach, 
ing,  17,  18,  21. 
salary  of,  18,  20,  21,  22, 
31,  32,  33,  34,  35,  46,  70, 
72,  80,  83,  84,  105,  106, 
150,   153,  168,  175,   191, 
200,  291,  359,  402,  434. 
to    report    number   of 
pupils  in  public  and 
private  schools,  19. 
Scollay,  Doctor,  282. 

John,  2,  3,  11,  12,  53,  97,  114,J23, 

133,  134,  160,  183,  185,  217,  226. 
Mr.,  87,  180. 

William,  168,  283,  294,  312,    319, 
320,  331,  349,  350,  354,  384,  385, 
419,  425. 
Scott,  Joseph,  201. 
Sealers  of  leather.     (See  Leather.) 
Sears,  Daniel,  101. 

Seaver   (Sever),  Ebenezer,  139,  161,  185, 
217,  226,  243,  276,  319,  331,  349,  354,  384, 
411,  414,  418. 
Sea  Wall,  371. 

committee  for  building,  116. 

expense  of,  67, 118. 

on  Ferry  street,  118, 124. 

Neck,  to  defray  expense  of, 
67. 
description  of,  66,  67. 
Securities,  144, 187,  220,  279. 
Selectmen,  1,  6,  8, 12, 13,  15,  17,  18,  19,  22, 
24,  25,  26,  31, 32,  36,  37,  42,  43, 
44,  45,  49,  50, 51,  56,  58,  63,  67, 
68,  69,  72,  73,  74,  75,  76,  79,  80, 
82,  85,  86,  87,  88,  89,  90,  93, 
94,  100,  103, 104,  105, 106,  107, 
109,110,  111,  113,  114,  116,118, 
119, 120,121,  122,  123,  124,125, 
132, 135,  136,  137,  138,  142, 148, 
150,  153,  154, 155, 156, 159, 160, 
163, 165,  166,  167,  168, 169, 171, 
175,  176,  177, 181,  182, 183, 186, 
187, 193, 194,  196,  199,201,202, 
203,  204,  205,  206,207,  208,  209, 
210,  214,  215,  216,  218,  219,  220, 
221,  223,  227,  228,  229,230,  232, 
236,  238,  239,  241,  244, 246, 248, 
249,  251,  254,  256,  260,  261, 262, 
263,  264,  266,  267,  274,  275, 279, 
280,  282,  284,  285,  288,  289,290, 
292,  293,  294,  295,  296,  297,298, 
299,  300, 301,  303,  305,  308,310, 
316,  318,  320,  322,  323,  327, 328, 
329,  330,  332,  333,  338, 339, 341, 
343,  344,  345,  346,  352,355, 356, 
357,  358,360,362,  363,  365,  366, 
367,  368,  369,  371, 372, 374,  375, 
378,  381,  386,  388,  389,  390, 392, 
394,  395,  396,  398, 399,  400,401, 
405,  410,  412,  413,  414, 415, 416, 
419,  421,  422,  424,  427,429,431, 
432,  434. 
accounts  of,  to  audit,  31,  164, 
191,  247,  278,  291,321,  351,  359, 
387,  420. 
additional  number  of,  62. 
choice  of,  2,  5,  53,  59,  60,  65, 
96,  97,  133,  139,  161,  1S5,  200, 
217,  224,  243,  250,  253, 276, 283, 
319,  349,  384,  391,  418. 
continue   suit   against    Coll. 

Gray's  bondsmen,  143. 
drafts  of  the,  10,  30,  33,  34,  35, 
57,  70,  71,   147,  149,  151,  172, 
173,  197,  211,  233,  257, 258,  337, 
361,  402,  425,  426. 
offer  reward  for  conviction 
of  persons  destroying  pub- 
lic property,  324,  325. 
to  apply  to  legislature  for  re- 
peal of  laws  against  in- 
oculation, 304. 


Index. 


457 


Selectmen,  to  appoint  master  for  South 
writing  school,  60. 
appropriate  money  to  de- 
fray expense  of  building 
new  school -bouse,  231. 
continue  their  exertions  to 
prevent     spreading     of 
smallpox,  302,  307,  309. 
defend  rights  of  town  to 

Oliver's  Dock,  143. 
give  names  to  streets,  178, 

179, 180. 
make  sale  of  land  at  North 

Battery,  144. 
regulate  and  widen  Prince 

street,  225,  226. 
visit  public  schools,  99. 
Senate,  38,  49, 119,  269,  300,  313,  333. 
Senators,  14,  16,  62,  63,  64. 

choice  of,  15,  63,  111,  112, 113, 145, 

146, 169,  170,  194,  195,  226,  227, 

254,  255,  285,  286,  311,  326,  356, 

357,  393,  428. 

Sessions,  clerk  of,  48,  123,  244,  257,  264, 

278,  321,  349,  385. 
Sewall,  Samuel,  316. 
Sharon,  26. 

Sharp,  Beacon,  19,  59,  61,  116,  165, 167,  205. 
Gibbins,  132, 171,  306. 
William,  7,  55,  56, 137,  163. 
Shaw,  Francis,  3,  5,  31,  32,  71. 

William,  247. 
Shed,  Joseph,  8,  286. 
Shepard  (Sheppard),  Nathaniel,  374,  378, 

William,  311. 
Sherburne,  38. 

Thomas,  422. 
William,  306,  355. 
Sheriff,  salary  of,  381. 
Ships,  vessels,  29,  77,  407,  408,  409. 
privateers,  340. 
timber,  409. 
Sign  boards,  164, 168. 

Sigoney    (Sigorney,    Sigourney,   Siggor- 
ney),  Charles,  265. 
Daniel,  41. 
Elisha,  123, 168,  210,  245,  287,  306, 

431. 
John  R.,  9,  18,  36,  58,  74, 132,  164, 
165,  188,  219,  221,  247,  278,  323, 
329,351,385,421. 
Nathaniel,  353. 
Peter,  8.    - 
S'monds  House,  337. 
Simpkins,  Deacon,  19,  32, 132. 
Simpson,  Josiah,  7,  55,  56. 
Singleton,  George,  325,  354,  388,  423. 
Skinner,  John,  7,  8,  55,  56,  103,  104,  137, 

138,  163,  1S6,  187,  223,  248,  280,  322. 
Smallpeace,  Robert,  323,  352,  386. 
Smallpox,  302,  307,  308,  309,  360,  361. 

inoculation  for,   181,   2S2,  284, 

303,  305,  307,  309. 
prescription    for    mitigating, 
328 
Smink,  Peter,  279. 
Smith,  Abiel,  312,  314. 
Constable,  5. 
Isaac,  3,  16,  53,  64,  102,  132, 134, 137, 

254. 
John,  222. 
Mr.,  58,  95. 
Oliver,  265,  430. 
Richard,  345. 

Samuel,  4,  55,  98, 139, 162,  189. 
William,  160,  161,  185,  217,  245,  277, 
319,  320,  350,  351,  384,  388,  418,  420, 
430. 
Soioke  house  be  erected,  309. 
Snelling,  Josiah,  305. 
Samuel,  247. 
Sohier,  J.  B.,430. 
Martin,  7. 


Sohier,  Martin  B.,  110. 

Somes  (Soams),  Nathaniel,  132, 166. 

South  Battery,  46,  67,  75. 

End,  school  at,  35,  166,  216. 
grammar  school,  20,  21,  83, 106, 153, 

175. 
reading  school,  208,  209. 
writing  school,  60. 
Spear,  David,  55,  60, 192. 
Joseph,  60. 
Mr.,  180. 
Pool,  98, 139. 
Spermacite  works,  75. 
Spooner,  William,  420. 
Sprague,  Doctor,  178. 

Joseph,  8,  287. 
State  House,  24,  68,  113,  148,  171,  196,  228, 
256,  289,  312,  330,  358,  383, 
394,  396,  397,  429. 
proposals  for  new,  317. 
street,  60,  87,  176, 179, 183,  223,  344. 
tax,  6,  32, 166. 

treasurer,  80,  31,  32,  33,  34,  45,  57,  71, 
92,  124,  136,  165,  172,  187,  203,  220, 
249,  259,  279,  338,  352,  389,  421. 
treasury,  32, 109,  259. 
Stationery,  paid  for,  70,  360,  402,  434. 
Staves  and  hoops,  cullers  of,  choice  of, 
9,44,46,  60,  103,  142,   163,166,190,201, 
203, 222,  232,  253,  254,  280,  328,  354,  355, 
389,  423. 
Stevenson,  Thomas,  283,  323,  352,  386,  420. 
Sticknor,  Elisha,  174.     ' 
Stillman,  Morgan,  221. 

Rev.  Doctor,  96, 195,  204,  310,  356, 

429. 
Samuel,  159,  388,  420. 
Stoddard,  Jonathan,  7,  55. 
Stone  chapel,  85,  86, 119, 155,  204,  412. 
lime,  inspector  of,  389,  392,  423. 
Storer,  Ebenezer,  287. 
Story  (Storey),  William,  61,  80,  82, 109. 
Stoughton,  26. 

Streets,  abutlors  on.    {See  Abutters.) 
Adams,  179. 
Allen,  180. 
Ann,  180. 
Atkinson,  179,  367,  374,  375,  376, 

377,378,401,413,414. 
Batterymarch,  179,  214,  281,  355. 

petition,   for  pav- 
ing, 171. 
Beacon,  179,  369,  370,  371,  400. 
Bennet,  178. 
Bowdoin  Square,  180. 
Cambridge,  179,  180. 
Castle,  178. 
Center,  180. 
Chamber,  180. 
Clarke,  180. 
Common,  50,  51,  400. 
Cornhill,  179. 
Court,  179,  397. 
Cow  Lane,  179,  355,  374,  375,  376, 

377. 
Dalton,  179. 

damaged  by  heavy  teaming,  299. 
damage  on  widening,  374,  378. 
Deacon,  ISO. 
Devonshire,  179. 
Eliot,  178,  369. 
Federal,  179. 
Ferry,  90,  116,  124,  150. 

sea  wall  on,  118, 122. 
Friend,  180. 
Frog  Lane,  178. 
George,  179. 
Green,  180. 
Gridley  Lane,  179, 
Hancock,  179, 180. 
Hanover,  180. 
Harvard,  178. 
Hawkins,  180. 
Hill,  180. 


458 


City  Document. 


Streets,  Hog  Alley,  232. 
Hollis,  178. 

Hutchinson,  367,  401,  413,  414. 
incumbrances  on,  168. 
Kilby,  179. 
King,  179. 
land  taken  to  widen,  375,  376,  377. 

paid  for  damages,  381. 
Leverett,  179, 180,  398. 
Love,  210. 
Lynde,  180. 

Lynn,  90,  341,  344,  345,  346. 
Mason,  400. 
Middle,  180,  209. 
Middlecot,  180. 
Middiesex,  180. 
Milk,  179. 
Mill,  180. 

names  changed,  164,  178, 179,  180. 
Nassau,  178. 

new,  laid  out,  367,  371,  403. 
Newbury,  179. 
North,  180. 

Oliver's  Dock,  142, 143. 
Orange,  178,  179, 
Palmer,  179. 

paving  and  repairing,  70, 176, 182, 
183,361,402,434. 
cost  of,  360,  361. 
petition     for     lottery     to    raise 

money  for  repairing,  214. 
Pleasant,  84, 178,  209,  369,  370,  371, 

414,  417. 
Prince,  225,  226,  352. 

land  to  widen,  226. 
Purchase,  179,  214,  374,  375,  376, 

377,  378. 
Queen,  21,  83,  105, 152, 174, 179. 
School,  209,  231,  391. 
Sea,  99, 107. 

abutters  on,  108. 
Ship,  180. 
Shute,  180. 
Staniford,  180. 

State,  60,  87, 176, 179,  183,  223,  344. 
Sudbury,  180. 
Summer,  179. 
Temple,  180,  336. 
Tremont,  209,  231. 
Warren,  180. 
Washington,  180. 
Water,  179. 
West,  209. 
Strong,  Caleb,  286. 
Sturgis,  Kufus,  171. 

Russell,  224,  245,  277,  286,  306,  320, 
323,  350,  385, 418,  419,  430. 
Subscriptions,  for  relief  of  poor,  132. 

sufferers  from  Are,  366. 
to  support  lamps,  267. 
Suffolk,  County  of,  13, 14, 15, 16,  23,  26,  27, 
29,  38,  39,  62,  63,  64,  94, 
97,  98,  111,  112,  113, 114, 
115,  123,  135,  145,  161, 
169,  184,  192,  193,  194, 
218,  226,  227,  240,  241, 
243,  254,  255,  256,  262, 
263,  264,  265,  267,  268, 
270,  271,  277,  285,  286, 
297,  310,  311,  321,  326, 
327,  349,  357,  358,  384, 
393,  419,  428. 
to  consider  dividing,  23. 
division  of,  26,  27,  28,  29, 

38. 
rem  on  strance   against 
dividing,  269,  270,  271, 
272. 
District  of,  182,  183,  316, 
327. 
Sullivan,  James,  15,  20,  23,  25,  29,  45,  46, 
64,  88,  91,  94,  99,  100,  125,  134,  135,  141, 
142,  210,  215,  240,  265,  :269,  272,  286,  294, 
303,  311,  326,  332,  333,  347,  368,  416. 


Sumner,  Benjamin,  31,  71,  73,  87,  95. 
Increase,  311,  392,  427. 
Samuel,  353. 
Sureties,  bonds  to  be  given  as,  45,  57, 121, 
136,  165,  187,  220,  238,  246,  249,  279,  321, 
338,  349,  352,  384,  389,  414,  418,  421. 
Surveyors,  47. 

of  boards.    (See  Boards.) 
hemp.     (See  Hemp.) 
highways.      (See   High- 
ways.) 
wheat.    (See  Wheat.) 
Swan,  James,  63. 
Swatser,  John,  80. 

Sweetser,  John,  3,  53,  88,  92,  99,  101, 102, 

104,  134, 13S,  161,  163,  185,  lf-6,  217,  218, 

244,  260,  277,  281,  282,  284,  294,  319,  350, 

357,  384,  396,  406,  418,  424,  428,  430,  431. 

Swift,  Elijah,  345. 

Switcher,  John,  74. 

Symes   (Symmes,    Symms,    Syms),    An- 
drew, 19,  20,  54,  72,  101,  134,  151, 

161,  173,  190,  197. 
Thomas,  305. 


Tar,  409. 

Tate,  James,  377,  380,  381,  431,  433. 

William,  103. 
Taxes,  30,  33,  172,  259,  261,  270. 

abatement  of,  30,  31,  34,  41,  57,  87, 
108, 150, 151, 172, 197, 
223,  246,  247,  278,  292, 
.       321 ,  335,  336,  350, 385, 
401,  421,  426,  433. 
on  Benj.  Gray's,  111. 
act,  338. 
alien,  76. 

appropriated  for  payment  of  in- 
terest to  creditors  of  town,  201. 
class,  73. 

commonwealth,  73. 
continental,  32,  35,73. 
for  Court  Houses,  Goals,  etc.,  28, 

40. 
names  of  persons  who  refuse  to 

pay,  334. 
on  inhabitants,  33,  198. 
plan  for  collection   of,   261,    331, 

332,  334,  432,  433. 
poll,  34,  85,  107,  154,  176,  200,  233, 

260,  293,  338,  361,  403,  435. 
premiums  for  collecting,  34,  35. 
premiums  on,  31. 
real  estate,  34,  85, 107, 154, 176,  200, 

233,  260,  293,  338,  361.  403,  435. 
reasons  for  non-payment  of,  335, 

336. 
specie,  32. 
state,  6,  32, 166. 

application    for    abatement 
of,  167. 
to  defray  expenses  of  town,  31, 
35,  85,  107,  154,  176,  177,  200,  233, 
259,  260,  293,  338,  361,  402,  403,  435. 
to  defray  expense  of  new  build- 
ings for  the  poor,  295. 
town,  32. 
to  raise  for  support  of  poor,  141, 

177,  201. 
collectors  of,  30,  32,  33,  34,  35,  45, 
54,61,70,71,72,87,107, 
108,   117,  122,  124,  150, 
154,  156,  166,  177,  192, 
202,  234,  240,  285,  292, 
321,  334,   836,  350,  362, 
385,  395,  402,  421,  426, 
allowance  to,  45,  56,  57, 
121,  136,  150,  165,  187, 
220,  240,   249,  279,  304, 
338,  352,   389,  402,  421. 
bondsmen  of  delin- 
quent, to  be  sued,  109. 
check  on,  192. 


Index. 


459 


Taxes,  collectors,  choice  of,  7,  9,  58,  101, 

109,  110,  135,  165,  187, 
202,  220,  249,  250,  254, 
279,  304,  308,  329,  352, 
388,  421. 

defaulters,  81,  82. 
delinquent,  9, 100. 
executions  against,  82, 

92. 
give  bond,  45,   57,  110, 

121,   136,  165,  220,  249, 

279,  338,   352,  389,  421. 
monies  due   from,    34, 

61,  73,  81, 
obliged  to  pay  balances 

due  the  town,  73. 
premiums,  45, 67, 70, 104, 

110,  118,  120,  121,  136, 
165,  173,  187,  220,  249, 
279,  304,  308,  338,  352, 
359,  389,  402,  421,  426, 
433. 

request  for  more  salary, 
237,  240. 
Tenant,  Thomas,  391,  420. 
Tewksbury,  31. 
Thatcher,  Peter,  62,  63,  76,  243. 

Rev.  Dr.,  358. 
Thayer,  Ebenezer,  255,  287,  326. 
Ephraim,  56. 
Minot,  386. 
Theatre,  266,  267,  268. 

building  new,  431. 
Thomas,  Alexander,  71,  73,  90,  92,  99, 108, 
110, 124,  172. 
Benjamin,  420. 
Mr.,  31,  93,  109,  111,  123. 
Thompson,  Benjftmin,  432,  433. 

James,  9,  31,  58,  71,  73,  81,  82, 

110,  135, 149,  165,  173,187,220, 

249,  258,  279,  292,  329, 352,  360, 

362,  364,  365,  388,  421, 426, 434". 

Mr.,  143. 

Thomas,  422. 

William,  191,  192,  205,  208,  216, 
223,  224,  413. 
Thwing,  James,  424,  433. 
Ticknor,  Mr.,  166,  209. 
Tidmarsh,  Nathaniel,  422. 
Tilden,  David,  418. 
Tileston  (Tyleston),  James,  21, 100. 

John,  20,  21,   83,  84, 
105,    106,    152,    154, 
174,    175,    198,    306, 
374,378,381,424. 
Mr.,  79,  138,  153,  210. 
Thomas,  4, 19,  54, 134, 
161,     186,    218,    245, 
273,    277,    320,    350, 
373. 
Tisdale,  James,  87,  320,  350,  362,  385,  419. 
Todd,  Samuel,  7. 

William,  56,  137,  186,  222,  248,  279, 
293,  321,  353,  387. 
Tomb  at  South  burying  ground,  412. 
Stone  Chapel,  412. 
on  Common,  432. 
Torrey,  Jonaah,  109. 
Josiah,  99. 
Samuel,  192,  30G. 
Towle,  Jonathan,  426. 
Town  accept  donations  in  Dr.  Franklin's 
Will,  233,  246. 
attorney,  214,  296,  297,  298. 
book,  115,  361. 

names   of    streets   recorded 
in,  178. 
bulls,  150. 

Clerk,  14,  22,  40,  47,  52,  67,  83,  95,  99, 
107,  115,  123,  135,  136,  139, 
146,  149,  153,  161,  162,  164, 
168,  185,  189,  191,  192,  217, 
218,  219,  235,  244,  245,  257, 
263,  264,  265,  274,  277,   278. 


Town  clerk,  303,    319,   321,    349,   360,   362, 

383,  384,  396,  410,  418,  419, 
424. 

choice  of,  2,  53,  96,  133, 160, 
184,  217,  243,  276,  319,  349, 

384,  418. 
duties  of,  293. 
examine  town  records,  47. 
salary  of,  6,  31,  32.  33,  35,  70, 

84,  107,  150,  295, 364,  403,  435. 
serve  representatives   with 
attested  copy  of  instruc- 
tions for  support  of  build- 
ing abridge  over  Charles 
River,  52. 
to  notify  Inhabitants  of  busi- 
ness of  the  meeting,  48. 
clock,  repairs  of,  150,  360,  402,  434. 
confirm  deed  given  for  two  stores 

in  exchange  for  pasture,  159. 
council,  274. 
creditors    to   receive   interest    on 

money  lent,  259. 
cryer,  360. 

debit  and  credit  of  the,  10,  30,  31, 32, 

33,  34,  57,  70,  71,  72, 73, 150, 151, 172, 

173,  197, 198,  233,  240,  258,  292,  337, 

425,  426,  433,  434. 

debt,  resolutions  on  payment  of, 

259,  260. 
dock,  70. 

expense  of  filling  up,  31,  50. 
request  for  compensation  for 
filling  up,  36. 
settled  by  arbitration,  36. 
engines,  pumps,  or  public  ladders, 

destruction  of,  324,  325. 
estates,   rents   of,   and   to   whom 

rented,  22. 
expenses,  by  heavy  loads  carried 
through  streets,  299. 
to  defray,  34,  35,  61,  85, 
107,  150,  154,  176,  177, 
200,  233,  260,  292,  293, 
338,  361,  403,  435. 
finances,  242. 
house,  new,  158. 
illumination  of,  1. 
incorporation  of,  25,  89,  91,  92,  93, 

417. 
introduction  of  fresh  water  into, 

382. 
lamps,  265,  267. 

lighting  of,  282,  293. 

to  continue,  285, 

288. 
to  be  discon- 
tinued,  147, 
331. 
subscription  to  support,  267. 
land,  sale  of,  432. 

on  S.  Battery,  75. 
given    deed    of   land  near   Dock 

Square,  76. 
meetings,  1,  2,  3,  4,  6, 8,  10, 11, 12, 14, 
16,  20,  23,  24,  25,  26,  35, 
37,  38,  41,  42,  43,  44,  46, 
47,  48,  49,  51,  52,  53,  54, 
55,  58,  60,  62,  63,  64,  65, 
67,  68,  69,  70,  74,  76,  78, 
80,  83,  85,  86,  88,  89,  90, 
91,  92,  93,  94,  95,  96,  98, 
99,103,  104,106,108,109, 
110,  111,  113,  114,  115, 
116,  117,  118,  119,  120, 
122,  123,  124,  125,  132, 
133,  135,  136,  138,  140, 
143,  144,  146,  147,  148, 
152,  154,  155,  156,  157, 
158,  159,  160,  162,  166, 
169,  170,  171,  175,  177, 
181,  182,  183,  184,  186, 
189,  191,  192,  194,  195, 
196,   198,   199,   200,  201. 


460 


City  Document. 


Town  meetings,  202,    204,    205,    206,    207, 
208,   210,   211,   213,  214, 
215,   216,   218,   221,  225, 
226,   228,   229,  232,  233, 
234,   235,  236,  238,  239, 
240,  241,   242,   243,  24S, 
250,   253,   254,  255,  256, 
257,  259,  260,   261,  262, 
263,  264,   265,  266,  268, 
272,   273,   275,  276,  280, 
283,   2S4,   285,   287,  288, 
289,   290,  293,  295,  296, 
299,  300,   301,  302,  304, 
306,   308,  309,  311,  312, 
315,  316,   317,  318,  323, 
325,  326,   327,   328,  329, 
330,   331,   332,   333,  337, 
339,   340,   341,  342,  343, 
347,   348,   352,   355,  356, 
358,   359,  363,   365,  366, 
,     367,   368,   369,   372,  373, 
■'     374,   381,  382,   383,  386, 
390,   392,  393,  394,  395, 
396,   397,  399,   401,  404, 
406,   407,  410,  411,  413, 
414,   415,   416,  417,  419, 
421,   424,   427,   428,  429, 
430,   432,   433,  435. 
expenses  at,  150. 
offers   reward   lor   conviction   of 
persons  destroying  public  prop- 
erty, 324,  325. 
police,  272,  273,  274,  275,  364. 
records,  47,  75,  97,  115,  381. 
schedule  of   assessment   for  land 

taken,  379,  380. 
security  of  the,  at  night,  329. 
selected  jurors,  241. 
suits  against,  234. 

to   make   regulations   prohibiting 

heavy  teaming,  299. 

petition  General  Court,  230. 

treasurer,  9,  10,  22,  32,  34,  35,  37,  45, 

57,  71,  72,  81,  82,  92,  97, 

103,   105,   109,   121,  122, 

124,   132,   136,  138,  149, 

150,   151,   154,   156,  164, 

165,   167,  168,   172,  175, 

176,   187,  192,    197,  198, 

202,   220,  234,   249,  259, 

260,   261,  274,  279,  324, 

334,   335,   338,   349,  352, 

360,   362,   373,  389,  400, 

421,   431. 

accounts  of,  5,  30,  72,  73, 

173,  258,  292. 

to  audit,  9,  22, 

30,  57,  61,  70, 

81,     103,    105, 

109,    138,  146, 

147,    149,  164, 

167,    172,   173, 

189,    191,  197, 

198,    223,  233, 

247,    257,  258, 

278,    292,  321, 

331,   332,   337, 

351,    359,  401, 

420,   432,   433. 

authorized    to     borrow 

monev,  261,  416. 
choice  "of,  5,  54,  97,  135, 
162,   1S5,   189,   219,  237, 
245,   277,   321,   349,  384, 
414,   418. 
committee  to  settle  the 
accounts  of    the  late, 
237,  240. 
duties  of,  293. 
draughts  of,  156. 
extract  from  will  of  the 

late,  97. 
give  bonds,  23S,  246,  279, 
321,  349,  384,  414,  418. 


Town  treasurer,  give   notes    to    Jonah 
Torrey,  109. 
note    for  land   on 

Cop's  Hill,  118. 
notes,  151, 167. 
salary  of,  6,  31,  32,  33,  35, 
70,  84,  295,  364,  402,  4C3, 
435. 
sum  due  the  late,  93. 
suspend    execution    of 
suit   of   Geo.   Make- 
peace, 202. 
suspend    execution    of 
suit   of    Col.   Sargent, 
202. 
to   call  on   Geo.  Make- 
peace, 433. 
collect     fines    from 

justices,  117. 
furnish    account    of 
monies      received 
and  paid,  34. 
issue  executions 
against  delinquent 
collectors  of  taxes, 
82. 
prosecute  bondsmen 
of  delinquent  coll. 
of  taxes,  108, 109. 
suspend   prose- 
cution, 109,  110,111, 
124. 
watch,  107,  329. 
Townsend,  Andrew,  56, 102,  137,  163,  186, 
221,  222,  248,  249,    279,   283, 
321,  323,  352,  353,  386. 
David,  201,  238,  345,  355,  388, 
411,  413,  420. 
Trade,  carrying,  77,  347. 
Traders,  89. 

Trades,  blacksmiths,  31. 
brickmakers,  203. 
carpenters,  31, 
glaziers,  31. 
masons,  31. 
pavers,  31. 
printers,  70,  391. 
Treasurer,  town.    (See  Town.) 

county,  4,  5,  54,  58,  95,  98,  120, 
135,  161,  218,  244,  278,  321,  349, 
3S4,  419. 
state,  30,  31,  32,  33,  34,  45,  57, 71, 
72,  92,  124,  136,  165,  172,  187, 
203,  220,  249,  259,  279,  33S,  352, 
389,  421. 
Treasury,  state,  32, 109,  259. 

town,  18,  32,  45,  72,  100,  109,  122, 
138,  177,  257,  259,  299, 
303,  388,  415,  416. 
general  state  of,  10,  57, 
103,  138,  149,  172,  173, 
257,  258,  292. 
Treaty,  commercial,  410. 

of  Amity,  Commerce  and  Navi- 
,  gation,  406,  407. 

resolutions     on,    407, 

408,  409. 
copy  to'  be  sent  to  the 
President,  410. 
Peace,  illumination   of   town 
on  ratification  of,  1. 
Tribunal,  275. 
Troops,  172,  340,  373. 

Artillery  Company,  118. 
Boston  regiment,  373. 
Tuckerman,  Abraham,  432. 

Edward,  8,  56,  74,  223,  248, 

279,  314,  322,  387,  423. 
Isaac,  11,  56,  423. 
Tudor,  Coll.,  264. 
Deacon,  i9. 
John,  23. 

William,  3, 12,  25,  29,  41,  47,  52,  59, 
75,  80,  90,  91,  99,   11H,    143,   168, 


Index. 


461 


Tudor,  William,  210,211,219,234,245,246,256, 
272,  281,  287,  289,  293,  295,  312, 
317,  320,  328,  330,  332,  333,  351, 
357,  358,  369,  372,  383,  388,  395, 
396,  397,  401,  406,  411,  413,  420, 
421,  424,  428,  430. 
Tuffet,  Cotton,  195. 
Tufts  (Tuffts),  Cotton,  15,  64, 112,  145,  170, 

227,  255,  286,  311,  326. 
Tukesbury,  Andrew,  173,  426,  433. 
Turner,  William,  422. 
Tyler,  Edward,  53,  97,  114,  115,  123,  133, 
161,  185,  217,  223,  224,  226,  273,  305,  374, 
378,  381. 

Union,  County,  26S. 

United  States,  120,  155,  301,  311,  339,  340, 
347. 
militia,  373. 
Uran,  ThomEts,  102,  238,  248,  280,  283. 
Ushers,  salary  of,  22,  84,  106,  150,  153,  175, 
199,  291,  359,  402,  434. 

Varnum,  Joseph  B.,  310. 
Vinal,  John,  20,  21,  22,  79,  80,  84,  106,  117, 
122,  152,  153,  174,  175,  209,  258,  357,  390, 
392. 
"Virginia,  407. 
Visitation  of  Schools,  32,  70,  79,  150,  209, 

360,  403. 
Votes,  by  proxy,  264. 

for  Governor,  Lieut.  Governor, 
and  six  Senators,  15,  16,  63, 
64,  112, 113,  145, 146,  169,  170, 
194,  195,  227,  255,286,287,326, 

357,  392,  393,  427,  428. 
representatives,    24,    69,    114, 

148,   171,   182,  196,    199,   229, 
242,  256,  289,  300,   327,    330, 

358,  395,  430. 

Waldo,  Benjamin,  425. 

Wales,  Ebenezer,  64, 145,  227,  287. 

Wall,  on  Boston  Neck,  59,  65,  66,  105. 

Terry  street,  116,  118,  122,  150. 

Wallack,  Moses,  427. 

Walley,  Thomas,  19,  21,  41,  45,  49,  51,  61, 
90,  97,  99, 104, 114, 115,  119,  123,  133, 135, 
157,  161,  167,  185,  217,  218,  226,  237,  238, 
243,  260,  276,  319,  328,  331,  349,  384,  406, 
418,  422. 

Walter,  William,  319,  422. 

War,  30,  76,  130,  239,  407,  408,  409. 
board  of,  32,  72. 

Wardens,  3,  54, 100. 

choice  of,  109,  110,  135,  166, 185. 

Warrants,  1,  2,  3,  9, 12,  14,  23,  24,  25,  30,  32, 
36,  37,  43, 44, 45,  46,  47,  48,  49,  51,  52,  59, 
60, 61, 62,  63, 65, 68, 69, 74, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 
90,  95,  96,  99, 100,  111,  113,  115,  116,  117, 
119, 120, 121,  122,  124,  125,  132,  133,  134, 
138, 141,  143,  144,  148,  154,  155,  156, 157, 
158, 159, 160,  164, 168,  169,  170,  171,  172, 
177, 181, 182, 183,  184,  188,  194,  195,  196,  ' 
201,  202,  204,  205,  206,  213,  214,  215,  2)6, 
218,  226,  22S,  229,  233,  234,  235,  237,  239, 
241,  242,  243,  245,  246,  254,  256,  257,  259, 
260,  262,  263,  264,  265,  267,  272,  273,  276, 
280,  282,  285,  288,  289,  295,  300,  301,  302, 
304,  305,  310,  312,  316,  318,  319,  320,  324 
325,  327,  328,  329,  330,  331,  332,  333,  339, 
3*0,  341,  342,  343,  344,  347,  348,  354,  356, 
358,  359,  362,  363,  365,  366,  367,  368,  369, 
373,  374,  378,  381,  382,  383,  388,  389,  390, 
392,394,395,396,  405,  406,  410,  411,  412, 
413,  414,  415,  417,  424,  427,  428,  429,  431, 
432,433. 

Warren,  Ebenezer,  326. 

James,  15,  31,  63,112,  145, 169,  310, 

427. 
John,  83,  429,  430. 

Washington,  George,  207,  208,  210,  213. 


Watch,  constables,  7,  42,  54,  58,  95, 100,  274, 
305,  433. 
house,  176. 

in  State  street,  60,  223. 
men,  payment  of,  22,  31,  32,  33,  35, 

70,  72,  107,  150,  402,  434. 
town,  107,  329. 
Water,  introduction  of  fresh,  3S2. 
Waters,  Josiah,  4, 19,  59,  132, 166,  361,  364, 

365,  404,  435. 
Ways,  filling  up  and  repairing,  203. 
Wear,  John,  112. 
Weatherly,  Joshua,  3S7,  423. 
Webb,  Joseph,  3,  4,  53. 
Webster,  Redford,  391,  418. 
Welch,  Jonas,  305,  415. 

Thomas,  211,  219,  246,  281,  290,  320. 
332,  333,  351,  388,  420,  430,  431. 
Weld,  Edward,  238,  248,  354. 
Well,  relative  to  a,  390. 
Wells,  Arnold,  7, 16,  227,  250,  391,  418,  425, 
428,  430. 
John,  101,  387,  423. 
Seth,  386. 
Wendell,  Isaac,  4,  55. 
Judge,  87. 

Oliver,  67,  75,  182,  195,  196,  199, 
286,  326,  355,  357,  393,  428. 
Weutworth,  Edward,  189,  220,  227,  249. 
West,  David,  422. 

Samuel,  194,  206,  211,  218,  241,  246, 
281,  320,  325,  351,  387,  420,  427. 
West  Boston,  59,  309,  318. 

almshouse  at,  398. 
bridge,  371. 

repairs  on,  333,  336, 

337. 
expense  of,  337. 
hospital  at,  150, 31S. 
Wharf,  North  Battery,  62. 

Oliver's  Dock,  100,  142, 143. 
Row's,  75. 
wood  on,  61. 
Wheat  and  flour,  surveyors  of,  choice  of, 
8,  56,  104,  138,  163,  186,  223,  248,  279,  322, 
353,  387,  423. 
Wheeler,  James,  215,  222,  231,  248,  401,  426, 

433. 
Wheelwright,  Job,  103,  140,  163,  190,  222, 
328 
Samuel,  287. 
Whetherly  Joshua,  353. 
Whipple,  Joseph,  188,  223,  282,  284. 
White  Benjamin,  56, 102, 107,  137, 140, 162, 
163, 186, 190,  221,  222,  248,  253,  279, 
280,  321,  323,  353,  354,  3S7,  388,  422. 
James,  345. 

John,  3,  8,  53,  56,  102,  104,  134,  138, 
161, 163„185, 186,  217,  244,  277,  319, 
350,384,386.425. 
Jonathan,  425. 

Samuel,  249,  283,  323,  352,  386,  420. 
Whitney,  Amos,  422. 

Samuel,  4,  55,  98,  139,  162,  189, 
220,  249. 
Whittemore,  Joseph,  163,  201,  232,  389,  423. 
Whitwell,  Samuel,  3,  36,  53,  102,  109,112, 
134, 161,  185,  217,  224,  232,  250,  258,  283. 
Wight,  Rev.  Mr.,  2, 113, 178. 
Wilbraham,  197. 
Wild,  Edward,  280,  328. 
Will  of  the  late  Benj.  Franklin,  234,  235. 
David   Jeffries,    extract 
from,  97. 
Williams,  Charles,  9,  32,58,  71,  73,110, 135, 
149,  165,  173,  187,  220,249,  250, 
258,  292. 
Deacon,  179. 

James,  56,  98,  139,  162, 189,  220. 
Jeremiah,  192. 
Mr.,  31, 154. 
Samuel,  139. 
Wind  machine,  369. 
Windship,  Amos,  426. 


462 


City  Document. 


Windship,  Jonathan,  426. 
Winnesimit  Ferry,  100,  104. 
Winslow,  Isaac,  139,  306. 

John,  168,  221,  306,  374,  378,  381, 
382 
Winthrop,  James,  310,  311. 

John,  54,  100,  134,  148,  159,  161, 
186,  196,  218,  229,  231,  245,  277, 
320,  350,  358,  385,  419. 
Thomas  L,.,  55, 104,  277. 
Wood,  31,  32,  34,  50. 

admeasurement  of,  on  wharves, 

61. 
hoards,     surveyors     of.     (See 

Boards, 
building  with,  369,  371,  372,  382. 
cord,  299. 
Are,  80,  275,  299. 


Wood    measurers  and  sealers  of,  choice 
of,  23S,  248,  280,  322,  328,  354,  356, 
387,  423. 
sealer  of,  300. 

staves,  cullers  of.    (See  Staves.) 
wharfingers  carting,  299. 
Woodward,  Ebenezer,  190,  222. 
Joseph,  7,  247,  368. 
Mr.,  142. 
Worcester,  County  of,  26,  38,  39. 
Workhouse,  252,  294,  354,  356,  398,  399,  400, 
424. 
(See  also  Almshouse.) 
Wrentham,  3,  12, 13,  38. 
Wright,  Beacon,  368. 
Francis,  101. 
Writing  schools.    (See  Schools.) 


